The Longitudinal Relations between Bonding Social Capital and Depression Trajectory: Multi-Group Comparisons Among Three Age Groups Using Korean Welfare Panel Study (WITHDRAWN)

Background/Purpose:

Because of limitations in available data and analytic methods, little is known about the relations between bonding social capital (BSC) and depression trajectory and whether there is age group difference in South Korea. Given the limitations, this study aims to (1) estimate the trajectory of depression among South Korean aged 20 and over, (2) to identify the relation between BSC and depression trajectory, (3) to test whether there are age differences between young(20-40), middle-aged(40-60), and old adults(60 and over).

Methods:

Sample includes 4,571 older adults aged 20 and over as of 2006 who participated in the Korea Social Welfare Panel Study (KSWPS), which is nationally and longitudinally representative data developed by Korean government. We used KSWPS data from 2006 to 2015. In order to address the research objectives, we used (1) latent growth curve modeling to estimate the trajectory and its associated factors (BSC and control variables) and (2) multi-group structural equation modeling to test age differences between young, middle, and old age group.

Results:

The model fits were acceptable and major findings are as follows. (1) Korean adults aged 20 and over presented decreasing depression trajectory with time. (2) Gender, age, income, education, marital status, employment status, smoking, amount of alcohol consumption, self-esteem, and BSC were associated with the depression trajectory. (3) The relation between BSC and depression trajectory differed by age group. Interestingly, the relationship between BSC and depression trajectory was stronger in the old age group than other age groups.

Conclusions and Implications:

The findings suggest that (1) Korean adults tend to decrease depression with time, (2) depression trajectory is associated with socio-demographics and BSC, and (3) depression trajectory and its associated factors vary by age. Especially, the effect of BSC on depression was significantly higher in the old age group than in the other groups, and this can be explained by socioemotional selectivity theory. Based on the findings, we will discuss implications for BSC and age sensitive mental health practice/policy and future research.