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

摘要： 目的：探讨社会资本在老年人日常生活能力和抑郁间的中介作用。方法：选取 2020 年 CHARLS 调查中 4 874 例老年人样本， 借助 Ichiro Kawachi 社会资本维度划分方式、日常生活能力（Activity of Daily Living，ADL）量表及流调中心抑郁水平评定量表 （CES-D-10）进行调查，使用 Pearson 相关分析、逐步回归分析及 Bootstrap 中介检验进行数据分析。结果：老年人抑郁症状检出率为 49.65%。ADL、社会资本与抑郁呈负相关（r=-0.276，-0.242，P<0.01），ADL 与社会资本呈正相关（r=0.495，P<0.01）。回归分析显示社会资本、ADL 得分均是抑郁的影响因素（P<0.01）。ADL 对抑郁症状的总效应值为-0.942，直接效应值为-0.627，社会资本对抑郁的中介效应值为-0.315。结论：社会资本在 ADL 与抑郁间起部分中介作用，提示改善社会资本可作为缓解老年人 ADL 下降所致抑郁风险的重要干预路径，为制定促进社会参与和心理健康的老年政策提供了实证依据。

关键词: 老年人, 日常生活能力, 社会资本, 抑郁, 中介作用