Housing deprivation and depression in older adults living alone: the moderating roles of social capital and urban-rural region.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Older adults are particularly affected by social and environmental factors, including social capital, living areas, and housing deprivation, as they often spend substantial time at home or within their local communities. These influences are especially pronounced for those living alone, due to limited social networks and interactions. This study aimed to examine the role of social capital and living areas in the relationship between housing deprivation and depression among older adults living alone.

METHODS

The study analyzed data from 1,557 older adults living alone, drawn from the 16th wave (2021) of the Korean Welfare Panel Study. Latent variables included depressive symptoms (measured by the CESD-11), housing deprivation, and social capital. Structural equation modeling (SEM) using Mplus was employed to test the latent interactions between social capital and housing deprivation, and between living areas and housing deprivation.

RESULTS

Study results indicated that housing deprivation, social capital, and living area significantly influenced depressive symptoms. Housing deprivation was positively associated with depression, whereas social capital was negatively associated. Notably, the adverse effects of housing deprivation were more pronounced among individuals with low social capital and those living in rural areas.

CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: Social capital was found to mitigate depressive symptoms and buffer the negative impact of housing deprivation. These findings suggest that policies and interventions should focus on strengthening social capital, particularly in rural areas, to support the mental health of older adults living alone.