Loneliness Among Older Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic : The Role of Family and Community Social Capital

This book investigates the relationship between social capital and loneliness of older adults living in urban China during the COVID-19 outbreak period. It also tested the mediation role of community-based cognitive social capital on the relationship between community-based structural social capital and loneliness of older urban Chinese adults. This book targets at a broad audience with knowledge in social gerontology and social work with older adults. It will appeal to academic researchers, undergraduate and graduate students, policymakers, and social workers who have interests in social capital and mental well-being in later life, and the impacts of COVID-19 on the well-being of older adults. Preface 6 Acknowledgments 10 Contents 11 1 The Significance of Loneliness in Later Life in the Context of COVID-19 Pandemic 14 1.1 Loneliness in Later Life During COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Perspective 14 1.2 Population Aging and Aging Policies in China 17 References 22 2 How to Understand Loneliness in Later Life? 29 2.1 Theoretical Models of Loneliness in Later Life 29 2.2 Social Capital and Loneliness of Chinese Older Adults 31 References 33 3 Social Capital and Loneliness 39 3.1 Social Determinants of Loneliness 39 3.2 Social Connections, Supportive Resources, and Loneliness 40 3.3 Social Capital and Loneliness 42 3.4 Summary of Research Gaps 43 3.5 Study Objectives and Hypothesis 43 3.6 Significance of the Study 44 3.6.1 Theoretical Significance 44 3.6.2 Empirical Significance 44 3.7 An Empirical Study Conducted in Shanghai: Sampling, Measurement, and Analysis 45 3.7.1 Sampling 45 3.7.2 Measurement 47 3.7.3 Data Analysis 49 3.8 Regression Models of Social Capital and Loneliness 49 3.8.1 Descriptive Statistics 49 3.8.2 Regression Model of Loneliness 50 3.9 Discussion 53 References 54 4 The Moderating Role of Age and Gender in the Relationship Between Social Capital and Loneliness 58 4.1 Literature Review: Age and Loneliness 58 4.2 Literature Review: Gender and Loneliness 59 4.3 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Age on Social Capital and Loneliness 60 4.4 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Gender on Social Capital and Loneliness 62 4.5 Discussion 64 References 67 5 The Moderating Role of Marital Status and Living Alone in the Relationship Between Social Capital and Loneliness 70 5.1 Literature Review: Marital Status and Loneliness 70 5.2 Literature Review: Living Alone and Loneliness 70 5.3 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Marital Status on Social Capital and Loneliness 71 5.4 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Living Alone on Social Capital and Loneliness 71 5.5 Discussion 73 References 79 6 The Role of Social Capital in Affecting Loneliness Among Older Adults with Different Socioeconomic Status 81 6.1 Literature Review: Socioeconomic Status and Loneliness 81 6.2 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Education on Social Capital and Loneliness 82 6.3 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Income on Social Capital and Loneliness 83 6.4 Discussion 85 References 89 7 The Role of Social Capital in Affecting Loneliness Among Older Adults with Different Physical Health Status 90 7.1 Literature Review: Health and Loneliness 90 7.2 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of IADLs on Social Capital and Loneliness 91 7.3 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Number of Diseases on Social Capital and Loneliness 91 7.4 Regression Model Results: Moderation Effect of Self-Rated Health on Social Capital and Loneliness 93 7.5 Discussion 95 References 103 8 The Mechanism Linking Structural Social Capital, Cognitive Social Capital and Loneliness 106 8.1 The Interplay Between Cognitive and Structural Social Capital 106 8.2 Study Objective and Hypothesis 107 8.3 Statistical Analysis 107 8.4 Results of the Mediation Models: Structural Equation Modeling 108 8.4.1 Measurement Model: Cognitive and Structural Social Capital During the COVID-19 Pandemic Period 108 8.4.2 The Structural Model: The Mediation Effects of Cognitive Social Capital on Structural Social Capital and Loneliness 109 8.5 Discussion 111 References 111 9 Implications of the Findings and Conclusions 114 9.1 Implications 114 9.2 Limitations 115 9.3 General Conclusion 117 References 118 Appendices 121 Appendix 1 121 Questionnaires of Social Capital and Health in COVID-19 (Jan.23-June.08, 2020, especially January-March; English version) 121 Appendix 2 127 Questionnaires of Social Capital and Health in COVID-19 (Jan.23-June.08, 2020, especially January-March; Chinese version) 127 Appendix 3 131 Appendix 4 132