Self-Efficacy, Social Capital, and Psychological State among grassroot Older Adults in Hong Kong: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study with an Embedded Structured Community Intervention
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61360/BoniGHSS262020950508Keywords:
older adults, self-efficacy, social capital, social networks, psychological state, longitudinal study, Hong KongAbstract
Rapid population aging has heightened concerns about psychological adaptation among older adults, particularly those residing in resource-constrained urban environments. This three-wave longitudinal study examined the associations among general self-efficacy, social capital, social networks, and psychological state among 1,218 older adults living in Hong Kong public housing estates. After baseline assessment, 201 participants were assigned to a six-month structured community intervention emphasizing caregiver involvement, community activities, and opportunities for social contribution, while 1,017 participants served as a comparison group receiving usual services. Psychological state was measured with a reverse-scored Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), such that higher scores indicated lower distress and relatively better psychological state. Cross-lagged panel models and chain mediation analyses with bootstrap procedures were conducted. Results showed that baseline self-efficacy predicted better psychological state at 12 months indirectly through problem-solving resources and social networks assessed at 6 months. The intervention group exhibited more favorable descriptive trajectories in social networks and self-efficacy compared with the comparison group; however, substantial baseline imbalances and the absence of complete group-by-time interaction tests preclude strong causal inference regarding intervention effects. Findings support an integrated self-efficacy and social capital framework and suggest that structured community programs may help strengthen psychosocial resources among older adults in high-density public housing settings, although more rigorous experimental designs are needed to establish causal effects.
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