The Influence of Social Capital on the Health of Middle-Aged and Older Adults: An Empirical Analysis Utilizing Data from the CHARLS

Background Against the backdrop of a rapidly aging global population, the health of middle-aged and older adults has garnered significant attention. Social capital, defined as the resources embedded within social networks, encompasses multiple dimensions such as social trust, social participation, and social support. While existing research has established its multifaceted impact on individual development, the specific mechanisms through which social capital influences the health of this demographic, and the variations resulting from different measurement approaches, require further in-depth investigation. Methods Utilizing data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study selected indicators of social capital across four dimensions: social participation, social support, social trust, and reciprocity. A multiple linear regression model was employed to analyze the impact of social capital on the health of middle-aged and older adults. Additionally, an instrumental variable (IV) approach with two-stage least squares (TSLS) regression was used to address potential endogeneity concerns. Results The findings indicate that the health of middle-aged and older adults is significantly influenced by social capital, though the effects vary by dimension. Reciprocity showed a significant positive association with self-rated health but had no significant impact on physical or mental health. Social participation and social support demonstrated significant positive effects across all health dimensions. In contrast, social trust did not exhibit a significant association with any health outcomes. Furthermore, the influence of social capital on health displayed variations between urban and rural areas, as well as between genders. Conclusions Social participation and social support are crucial protective factors for the health of middle-aged and older adults, although the roles of social trust and reciprocity should not be entirely overlooked. Public health policies should focus on fostering inclusive platforms for social participation, strengthening community support networks, and cultivating an environment of social trust. Particular attention should be paid to the differentiated needs of rural residents and women to maximize the health-promoting effects of social capital.