关键词: 老年人, 日常生活能力, 社会资本, 抑郁, 中介作用

Abstract: Objective: To explore the mediating role of social capital between activities of daily life and depressive symptoms in the elderly. Methods: A sample of 4 874 elderly adults from the 2020 CHARLS survey was selected. The survey was conducted using the social capital dimension classification method of Ichiro Kawachi, the Activity of Daily Living (ADL) scale, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D-10). Data analysis was performed using univariate analysis, pearson correlation analysis, stepwise regression analysis, and bootstrap mediation test. Results: The detection rate of depressive symptoms among the elderly was 49.65%. ADL, social capital were negatively correlated with depressive symptoms (r=-0.276, -0.242, P<0.01), and ADL was positively correlated with social capital (r=0.495, P<0.01). The total effect value of ADL on depressive symptoms was -0.942, the direct effect value was -0.627, and the mediating effect value of social capital on depressive symptoms was - 0.315. Conclusion: Social capital plays a partial mediating role between ADL and depressive symptoms, suggesting that improving social capital can serve as an important intervention path to alleviate the risk of depressive symptoms caused by the decline of ADL in the elderly. This provides an empirical basis for the formulation of policies to promote social participation and mental health among the elderly.

Key words: The elderly, Activities of daily life, Social capital, Depressive symptoms, Mediating role