Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 9(5), pp. 306 - 316
DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2021.090513
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Social Capital and Health-related Quality of Life of Older Adults Living in Thai Rural Areas

Kana Nishino ¹, Sayaka Kotera ^2,*, Arbkhanok Tongtham ^3
1 Infectious Disease Countermeasures Division, Ota City, Tokyo, Japan
² Graduate School of Health Sciences, Kobe University, Japan
³ Department of Community Health Nursing, Srisavarindhira Thai Red Cross Institute of Nursing, Thailand

ABSTRACT

Thailand is one of the most aging countries in Southeast Asia. While family support for Thai older adults is dominant, mutual support in communities is needed in response to the demographic shifts. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of individual social capital on health-related quality of life (QOL) as a health outcome of older adults living in rural Thai communities. The questionnaire comprised the following: general characteristics, the Shortened and Adapted Social Capital Assessment Tool (SASCAT) and other items of social capital, the 12-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-12), and life satisfaction. We collected data from 202 older adults who participated in elderly clubs. After controlling for confounding effects, logistic regression analysis revealed that less group membership and more support from individuals were significantly associated with better physical QOL. Feeling safe in the community was significantly associated with mental QOL. However, other components of SASCAT, such as citizenship activities and cognitive social capital, had no significant associations. This study suggests that health-related QOL of Thai older adults may be improved by increasing mutual support of community members and perceived neighborhood safety through feeling supported by a community. However, it should be noted that multiple active memberships may adversely affect the health of older adults in Thailand.

KEYWORDS
Social Capital, Health-related Quality of Life, Older Adults, Rural Community, Thailand

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Kana Nishino , Sayaka Kotera , Arbkhanok Tongtham , "Social Capital and Health-related Quality of Life of Older Adults Living in Thai Rural Areas," Universal Journal of Public Health, Vol. 9, No. 5, pp. 306 - 316, 2021. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2021.090513.

(b). APA Format:
Kana Nishino , Sayaka Kotera , Arbkhanok Tongtham (2021). Social Capital and Health-related Quality of Life of Older Adults Living in Thai Rural Areas. Universal Journal of Public Health, 9(5), 306 - 316. DOI: 10.13189/ujph.2021.090513.