Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes
Abstract Background This study aimed to examine the differences in relationships among social capital components, health status, sociodemographic characteristics, and subjective well-being (SWB) among older adults in institutionalized versus non-institutionalized care environments. Methods A cross-s...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | BMC Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22036-4 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1849733013993160704 |
|---|---|
| author | Yan Chen Dahui Wang Wenhao Chen Enxi Zhao Wanjing Li Shanshan Zhu Xianlan Wu |
| author_facet | Yan Chen Dahui Wang Wenhao Chen Enxi Zhao Wanjing Li Shanshan Zhu Xianlan Wu |
| author_sort | Yan Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background This study aimed to examine the differences in relationships among social capital components, health status, sociodemographic characteristics, and subjective well-being (SWB) among older adults in institutionalized versus non-institutionalized care environments. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 1,037 older adults aged 65–95 years from nine communities and nine nursing homes across three regions of Zhejiang Province, China. Social capital and SWB were assessed using the Social Capital Scale and the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH), respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM, 1:1, caliper width 0.02) was applied to balance key sociodemographic characteristics and health status between community-dwelling and nursing home residents. Multivariable linear regression was utilized to analyze the relationships among social capital components, health status, sociodemographic factors, and SWB in both groups. Results PSM identified 290 older adults in community dwellings and a comparable group (n = 290) in nursing homes. Comparative analysis showed that nursing home residents demonstrated lower SWB. Multivariable linear regression revealed that social connection, trust, and cohesion were positively associated with SWB in both groups. However, social participation was only significantly linked with community dwellings residents. Both groups showed a positive relationship between SWB and self-rated health, but the number of chronic conditions did not show a significant link with SWB. Additionally, higher income (≥ 3000 RMB) and a middle school education linked to higher SWB among community-dwelling older adults, whereas family structure, specifically being not in union and having three or more children, was associated with lower SWB in the nursing home group. Conclusion Social capital and health status showed a strong and consistent association with SWB in both groups. Strengthening social connections, trust, and cohesion, along with maintaining positive health perceptions, is expected to enhance the well-being of older adults, particularly for those in institutional settings. Notably, differences in how sociodemographic factors influence SWB across settings. These findings indicate the necessity for tailored interventions that address the unique needs of each care environment to promote healthier aging experiences. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eb2f8b9105b14943b696779faabc833b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-eb2f8b9105b14943b696779faabc833b2025-08-20T03:08:09ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-04-0125111310.1186/s12889-025-22036-4Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homesYan Chen0Dahui Wang1Wenhao Chen2Enxi Zhao3Wanjing Li4Shanshan Zhu5Xianlan Wu6Department of Health Management, School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal UniversityDepartment of Health Management, School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal UniversityDepartment of Health Management, School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal UniversityDepartment of Health Management, School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal UniversityDepartment of Health Management, School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal UniversityDepartment of Health Management, School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal UniversityDepartment of Health Management, School of Public Administration, Hangzhou Normal UniversityAbstract Background This study aimed to examine the differences in relationships among social capital components, health status, sociodemographic characteristics, and subjective well-being (SWB) among older adults in institutionalized versus non-institutionalized care environments. Methods A cross-sectional survey was conducted involving 1,037 older adults aged 65–95 years from nine communities and nine nursing homes across three regions of Zhejiang Province, China. Social capital and SWB were assessed using the Social Capital Scale and the Memorial University of Newfoundland Scale of Happiness (MUNSH), respectively. Propensity score matching (PSM, 1:1, caliper width 0.02) was applied to balance key sociodemographic characteristics and health status between community-dwelling and nursing home residents. Multivariable linear regression was utilized to analyze the relationships among social capital components, health status, sociodemographic factors, and SWB in both groups. Results PSM identified 290 older adults in community dwellings and a comparable group (n = 290) in nursing homes. Comparative analysis showed that nursing home residents demonstrated lower SWB. Multivariable linear regression revealed that social connection, trust, and cohesion were positively associated with SWB in both groups. However, social participation was only significantly linked with community dwellings residents. Both groups showed a positive relationship between SWB and self-rated health, but the number of chronic conditions did not show a significant link with SWB. Additionally, higher income (≥ 3000 RMB) and a middle school education linked to higher SWB among community-dwelling older adults, whereas family structure, specifically being not in union and having three or more children, was associated with lower SWB in the nursing home group. Conclusion Social capital and health status showed a strong and consistent association with SWB in both groups. Strengthening social connections, trust, and cohesion, along with maintaining positive health perceptions, is expected to enhance the well-being of older adults, particularly for those in institutional settings. Notably, differences in how sociodemographic factors influence SWB across settings. These findings indicate the necessity for tailored interventions that address the unique needs of each care environment to promote healthier aging experiences.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22036-4Social capitalSubjective well-beingOlder adultsCommunity dwellingsNursing homesComparative study |
| spellingShingle | Yan Chen Dahui Wang Wenhao Chen Enxi Zhao Wanjing Li Shanshan Zhu Xianlan Wu Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes BMC Public Health Social capital Subjective well-being Older adults Community dwellings Nursing homes Comparative study |
| title | Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes |
| title_full | Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes |
| title_fullStr | Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes |
| title_full_unstemmed | Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes |
| title_short | Social capital, health status, and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well-being among older adults: a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes |
| title_sort | social capital health status and sociodemographic factors associated with subjective well being among older adults a comparative study of community dwellings and nursing homes |
| topic | Social capital Subjective well-being Older adults Community dwellings Nursing homes Comparative study |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22036-4 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT yanchen socialcapitalhealthstatusandsociodemographicfactorsassociatedwithsubjectivewellbeingamongolderadultsacomparativestudyofcommunitydwellingsandnursinghomes AT dahuiwang socialcapitalhealthstatusandsociodemographicfactorsassociatedwithsubjectivewellbeingamongolderadultsacomparativestudyofcommunitydwellingsandnursinghomes AT wenhaochen socialcapitalhealthstatusandsociodemographicfactorsassociatedwithsubjectivewellbeingamongolderadultsacomparativestudyofcommunitydwellingsandnursinghomes AT enxizhao socialcapitalhealthstatusandsociodemographicfactorsassociatedwithsubjectivewellbeingamongolderadultsacomparativestudyofcommunitydwellingsandnursinghomes AT wanjingli socialcapitalhealthstatusandsociodemographicfactorsassociatedwithsubjectivewellbeingamongolderadultsacomparativestudyofcommunitydwellingsandnursinghomes AT shanshanzhu socialcapitalhealthstatusandsociodemographicfactorsassociatedwithsubjectivewellbeingamongolderadultsacomparativestudyofcommunitydwellingsandnursinghomes AT xianlanwu socialcapitalhealthstatusandsociodemographicfactorsassociatedwithsubjectivewellbeingamongolderadultsacomparativestudyofcommunitydwellingsandnursinghomes |