What Matters Most for Community Social Capital among Older Adults Living in Urban China: The Role of Health and Family Social Capital

Abstract

The present study investigated individual-level determinants of community social capital among older adults in urban China, with a particular emphasis on health and family social capital. A quota sampling method was used to select 456 adults aged 60 or older from 16 local communities in the city of Suzhou in 2015. Multiple indicators and multiple courses in structural equation modeling were used to examine the proposed model. Latent constructs of community social capital (i.e., cognitive social capital and structural social capital) were established. The results showed that family social capital and instrumental activities of daily living were the most influential determinants of cognitive social capital, whereas activities of daily living and socioeconomic status were the most important determinants of structural social capital. We demonstrate the application of social capital theory in an urban Chinese context. Future policy development and social work interventions should use a more comprehensive social capital latent constructs and health indicators as screening instruments. The promotion of family social capital could play an important role in enhancing cognitive social capital among older adults.

Relationship between Individual Social Capital and Functional Ability among Older People in Anhui Province, China

“…Surprisingly, different from our findings, a study in Shanghai, China found that social support, particularly the family social support did not play a role in the improvement of elderly functional ability [42]. A possible explanation could be that urbanization and rapid economic growth decreased the family resources that provided support for elderly individuals, and community older dwellers prefer to gain support from participating in formal/informal groups, voluntary activities and services in the community/village [43].…”

Social Capital and Preferences for Aging in Place Among Older Adults Living in Rural Northeast China

“…Consistent with the findings of previous studies [ 10 , 11 , 12 ], the findings of this study suggest that higher levels of cognitive social capital indicate higher levels of trust, reciprocity, and a sense of belonging to local communities, while higher levels of structural social capital foster higher frequencies of social participation, more organization memberships, and more volunteering and citizenship activities in rural China. Previous studies have indicated that some social capital indicators (e.g., a sense of belonging and familiarity, trust, and organization memberships) are significant factors of aging in place [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ].…”

“…Therefore, it is important to conduct aging in place studies in economically underdeveloped regions and collect local evidence for the sake of policy and intervention development. While social capital has been tested in urban Chinese communities [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], there is a lack of relevant research in rural Chinese communities. Therefore, the present study aimed to establish a latent construct of social capital in a rural Chinese community context and examine the association between social capital and aging in place among older adults living in rural China.…”

Does Education Moderate the Relationship between Social Capital and Cognitive Function among Older Adults? Evidence from Suzhou City, China

“…Moreover, older adults with low educational attainment tend to engage in more unhealthy behaviors (e.g., smoking and drinking) than their counterparts. Education was also found to be significantly associated with structural social capital among older adults in urban Chinese contexts [ 31 ]. Educated older residents might use social capital in a more efficient manner, particularly in terms of obtaining health knowledge and information and accessing health services, which could be useful for them to prevent cognitive decline and the onset of dementia (e.g., physical activity) [ 15 ].…”