Cognitive social capital and geriatric depression: A community-based case-control study among the rural elderly people of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: Geriatric depression results in additional difficulties for older people and their residing society. The case-control study intended to assess the association between cognitive social capital and depression in rural older people. Methods: We conducted this study from January to December 2020 among 420 rural tenants aged ≥60 years in Bangladesh. We enrolled 210 older persons with depression as cases and another 210 without depression as controls. We used a semi-structured questionnaire, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and a cluster sampling technique to collect data through face-to-face interviews. We performed quality control checks and followed all ethics guidelines. Findings: Geriatric depression had a significant association with gender (p = 0.006), marital status (p < 0.001), education (p < 0.001), occupation (p = 0.001), family type (p < 0.001), family size (p < 0.001), number of family members (p < 0.001), and monthly family income (p < 0.001) of the rural older adults. Both interpersonal trust (p < 0.001) and reciprocity (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with geriatric depression. The older adults who didn’t believe in interpersonal trust (OR = 6.8, p = 0.002) and who disagreed with reciprocity (OR = 31.1, p < 0.001) were more likely to have depression. Implications: The study findings can contribute to formulating cognitive social capital policy and interventions to promote the psychological well-being of rural older people by alleviating geriatric depression. Impact statement Population aging has been taking place rapidly in Bangladesh. The country has one of the fastest-growing aging populations in Southeast Asia. Geriatric depression has become a leading mental health problem among older adults, particularly in rural areas. This study examined the relationship between depression and cognitive social capital among rural older adults in Bangladesh. Geriatric depression was significantly associated with marital status, education, occupation, family type, family size, and family income of older individuals. Both the interpersonal trust and reciprocity domains of cognitive social capital were found to be associated with depression. Older persons without interpersonal trust had more chance of experiencing depression. Independence, autonomy, reciprocity, and trust of older individuals with their families and communities could foster cognitive social capital. The study findings could contribute to designing future social capital policies and interventions for the well-being of rural older people in a developing country like Bangladesh. Community-based motivational interventions could encourage older citizens to be involved in volunteering diverse social activities to prevent geriatric depression.