Moderating Effects of Community Social Capital on Depression in Later Years of Life: A Latent Interaction Model.

OBJECTIVE: This study tested the stress-buffering model and examined the buffering role of community social capital on late-life depression.

METHODS: This study used the data from the second wave of National Social Life, Health, and Aging Project (NSHAP, 2010-2012). In the present study, a total of 2,362 older adults aged 65 and older (Mage = 74.5, SD = 6.69) were included. Latent moderated structural equations model was tested by comparing the main effect model and interaction model. Depression, stress, and community social capital were constructed as latent variables for the analyses.

RESULTS: The main effect model was acceptable: χ2 (df = 334) = 1596.4, p = .000; RMSEA = .04 (.038 - .042); CFI = .91; and SRMR = .05. And interaction model was significant (D = 35.0, p < .001). The latent constructs of stress (β = . 50, p < .001) and community social capital (β = -.14, p < .001) not only had a direct effect on depression, but their interaction was also significant (β = -.21, p < .01).). The group with a high level of social capital presented a relatively stable slope in the prediction of stress on depression, suggesting their resilience, while the group with a low level of community social capital demonstrated a steep slope, indicating heighten vulnerability to depression when faced with stress.

CONCLUSIONS: The findings support the hypothesis of stress buffering model and identify the protective effects of community social capital on depression of older adults.

CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Older adults with lower community social capital are particularly vulnerable to depression. The results highlight that practitioners and policymakers should pay more attention to finding ways to enhance community resources to improve older adults' mental health.