Relations between Social Capital and Health for Elders

• Main Authors: MA, CHIEN-PING, 馬健萍
• Other Authors: JU, MEI JEN
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2016
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/86205725774212553956

碩士 === 玄奘大學 === 社會工作學系碩士在職專班 === 105 === Given that WHO promotes the concept of "active aging" and emphasizes the importance of social participation of the elderly, this study aims to investigate the relationship between Social Capital and the physical and mental health of the senior citizens (age > 60). Social Capital is categorized into three dimensions: Social Networks, Social Engagement, and Social Trust; each has three indicators respectively. Furthermore, the mutual relevance and predictability on the three dimensions of Social Networks, Social Engagement and Social Trust are discussed. Statistical analyses of Correlation, difference analysis, and stepwise regression were performed and summed up the predictor of the variables: Physical and mental health including self-assessment of health and the degree of happiness. Secondary data analysis based on Social Capital Questionnaire was also applied in the current research. The results show that the Social Capital of middle-aged people is positively related to their physical and mental health, suggesting that the higher of Social Capital can predict better physical and mental health. Additionally, Social Networks, Social Engagement, and Social Trust are positively related to each other and are predictors of the variables in the study of Social Capital in the elderly. It is concluded that the three dimensions, called as "Social Capital Triangles" by the researcher, indispensably facilitate each other.