Social Capital, Socioeconomic Status, and Health-Related Quality of Life Among Older Adults in Bogotá (Colombia)

• Published in: Journal of aging and health Vol. 27; no. 4; pp. 730 - 750
• Main Authors: Lucumí, Diego I., Gomez, Luis F., Brownson, Ross C., Parra, Diana C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.06.2015; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cognition; Cognitive psychology; Colombia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health Status; Humans; Inequality; Male; Middle Aged; Multilevel Analysis; Older people; Quality of Life; Regression analysis; Residence Characteristics; Social Capital; Social Class; Social Perception; Social psychology; Trust; Colombia; Bogota Colombia; older adults; social capital; health-related quality of life; socioeconomic status
• ISSN: 0898-2643; 1552-6887
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264314556616

Objective: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between levels of cognitive social capital and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Methods: A multilevel, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007 in Bogotá Colombia. A total of 1,907 older adults completed the Spanish version of the Short Form of Health Survey (SF-8) to assess HRQOL. Cognitive dimension of social capital was assessed. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to determine the associations between social capital variables and HRQOL. Results: Only 20% to 25% of the population reported trust in others and shared values. A total of 93% percent reported that people in their neighborhood would try to take advantage of them if given a chance. Higher social capital indicators were positively associated with the mental and physical dimensions of HRQOL. Discussion: Results from this study support evidence on the disintegration of the Colombian society, which may be influenced by high levels of social inequality.