Zhongliang Bai1,2, Zijing Wang2, Tiantai Shao2, Xia Qin3, Zhi Hu4,5. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. 2. Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. 3. Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. qinxia@ahmu.edu.cn. 4. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. aywghz@ahmu.edu.cn. 5. Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Services Management, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China. aywghz@ahmu.edu.cn.
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.
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.
Entities:
Keywords:
Aging; China; Health; Loneliness; Social capital
Authors: Louise C Hawkley; Mary Elizabeth Hughes; Linda J Waite; Christopher M Masi; Ronald A Thisted; John T Cacioppo Journal: J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci Date: 2008-11 Impact factor: 4.077