Community social capital and inequality in depressive symptoms among older Japanese adults: A multilevel study. (July 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Haseda, Maho; Kondo, Naoki; Takagi, Daisuke; Kondo, Katsunori
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 52(2018:Jul.)
• Page Start: 8
• Page End: 17
• Publication Date: 2018-07
• Subjects: Social capital -- Health inequality -- Depressive symptoms -- Ageing -- Multilevel modeling -- Japan; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2018.04.010
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: Although studies have suggested that community social capital contributes to narrow income-based inequality in depression, the impacts may depend on its components. Our multilevel cross-sectional analysis of data from 42, 208 men and 45, 448 women aged 65 years or older living in 565 school districts in Japan found that higher community-level civic participation (i.e., average levels of group participation in the community) was positively associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms among the low-income groups, independent of individual levels of group participation. Two other social capital components (cohesion and reciprocity) did not significantly alter the association between income and depressive symptoms. Highlights: Community social capital might be protective towards depression in older adults. Community civic participation may enlarge the income-based gap in depression. Considering bright and dark sides of social capital is necessary for intervention.