Author:
Bai Zhongliang,Wang Zijing,Shao Tiantai,Qin Xia,Hu Zhi
Abstract
Abstract
Background
We aimed to examine the association between social capital and loneliness in Anhui Province, China.
Methods
Data were collected from a cross-sectional study using a multi-stage stratified cluster sampling strategy. Data on demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factors, social capital, and loneliness in 1810 older adults (aged 60 years and older) were used for analysis. Binary logistic regression models and a classification and regression tree model were performed to assess the association of social capital and loneliness.
Results
Our results indicated that social capital in terms of lower level of social participation (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.10–1.74), social connection (AOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.18–1.93), and reciprocity (AOR = 1.47; 95% CI: 1.13–1.90) were associated with higher odds of developing loneliness. We noted the interactive effect of different social capital dimensions on loneliness, suggesting that the risk for suffering loneliness was greatest in older people limited in functional ability, with less trust, less social connection, and less social participation.
Conclusions
Our findings show that social capital is associated with loneliness in older adults. This implies that social capital, especially in terms of trust, social connection, and social participation may be significant for alleviating loneliness in later life.
Funder
National Natural Science Foundation of China
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Geriatrics and Gerontology
Cited by
31 articles.
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