Network-based and cohesion-based social capital and variations in depressive symptoms among Taiwanese adults
Journal
International Journal of Social Psychiatry
Journal Volume
64
Journal Issue
8
Pages
726-736
Date Issued
2018
Author(s)
Abstract
Background: Network- and cohesion-based social capital may play an important role in improving mental health. However, there is limited understanding about these relationships among adults in Taiwan. Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the association between individual-level network and cohesion-based social capital and depressive symptoms among a population-based sample of Taiwanese adults. Methods: Data were obtained from the 1997 Taiwan Social Change Survey (n = 2,598). The 20-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale was used to measure depressive symptom scores; ?16 represented high depressive symptoms. Network-based social capital was measured using a position generator. Two dimensions of cohesion-based social capital were assessed: cognitive (perceived neighborhood trust and reciprocity) and structural (local community participation and organizational participation). Multivariable log-binomial regression models, weighted to account for the complex sampling design and adjusted for confounders, estimated prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to examine the association between each social capital measure and depressive symptoms. Results: In this study, 29.6% of respondents were classified as having high depressive symptom scores. Higher scores of composite cognitive social capital (adjusted Prevalence Ratios (aPR) = 0.92, 95% CI = [0.90, 0.95]) and structural social capital (aPR = 0.80, 95% CI = [0.65, 0.99]) were associated with a lower likelihood of high depressive symptom scores after controlling for confounders. However, there was no association between network social capital and depressive symptoms. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the relationship between social capital and depressive symptoms in Taiwan differs according to the specific dimension of social capital assessed. Differentiating between network- and cohesion-based social capital merits greater attention to inform our understanding of building social capital to promote and improve mental health outcomes. ? The Author(s) 2018.
Subjects
adults; depressive symptoms; social capital; Taiwan
Other Subjects
adult; community participation; cross-sectional study; depression; female; human; human relation; male; mental health; prevalence; psychology; social capital; social network; social support; Taiwan; Adult; Community Participation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Female; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Mental Health; Prevalence; Social Capital; Social Networking; Social Support; Taiwan
Type
journal article