Can social capital improve the quality of life satisfaction for older adults? Focusing on the 2016 Quality of Life Survey in Gyeonggi Province, Korea

Abstract

This study examines the mediating effects of social capital and neighborhood environments on older adults' quality of life satisfaction in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. The World Health Organization (WHO) has proposed guidelines for age-friendly city planning according to physical, social, economic, and health and safety domains. Based on the WHO guidelines, this study constructed a structural equation model using the “2016 Quality of Life Survey for the Residents of Gyeonggi Province.” Results show that quality of life satisfaction in older adults has a significant association with the use of neighborhood living facilities. In particular, quality of life satisfaction has significant positive associations with satisfaction levels toward pedestrian mobility and safety. These findings indicate that neighborhood environments are highly important factors for quality of life satisfaction in older adults. This study also confirms that social capital plays an important role in older adults' quality of life satisfaction. Social capital has direct positive impacts and mediating effects on quality of life satisfaction in older adults. Finally, this study concludes that neighborhood facilities, walking environments, and neighborhood-level social capital are the most important components in promoting quality of life satisfaction in older adults.