Social capital and depression: evidence from urban elderly in China

Objectives: To study the relationship between social capital and depression among older adults from urban China and the mediating effect of social support on the influence of social capital on depression.

Methods: Data were collected from face-to-face interviews targeting older adults (N = 928, response rate = 68.1%) aged over 60 years residing in Hangzhou, China, in 2013. Indicators of social capital included both cognitive (trust and reciprocity) and structural (social network and social participation) aspects. The dependent variable depression was measured by the Geriatric Depression Scale, social support was measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and sociodemographic variables (age, education, and household income) and physical function were controlled for analysis. The data were analyzed by factor analysis and a hierarchical regression model.

Results: Trust, reciprocity, and social network were significantly associated with geriatric depression after controlling. Social participation was not correlated with geriatric depression. Social support partially mediated the relationships between social capital and geriatric depression.

Conclusion: This study provides new evidence that social capital effectively mediates geriatric depression directly and indirectly. The intervention of social capital on depression should therefore consider the two pathways. Future longitudinal studies should help further understand the mechanisms linking social capital and depression.