손기영*1,2,Ki-Young Son*1,2

서울대학교 보건대학원 보건학과1, 서울대학교병원 가정의학과2

Background: Social capital is gaining more attention as an important factor of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). However, studies of the association between social capital and HRQOL among the elderly in rural areas are sparse, even though social capital could have a more profound effect on these people compared to
those from other areas and other age groups.
Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was constructed to gather information on demographic variables, health behaviors, chronic diseases, HRQOL (KEQ-5D), social capital (adapted from the Integrated Questionnaire for measurement of Social Capital: SC-IQ). This questionnaire was administered to 167 residents of Chuncheon City, Gangwon Province, Korea. Multiple regression method was applied to examine the association between SC-IQ and KEQ-5D scores.
Results: Of 167 participants, 40.7% were male and 59.3% were female. Mean ages were 59.04±16.07 years and 62.86±17.00 years, respectively. Among three levels of social capital, an increase in community level score was significantly associated with greater anxiety and depression, which was presented as an increased KEQ-5D Anxiety/Depression domain score (adjusted OR 1.049, 95% confidence interval 1.022-1.076) and with a higher overall HRQOL, which was presented as an increased KEQ-5D VAS score (β=0.028, P=0.024).
Conclusions: Among this group of elderly people from one rural community, enriched social capital of community level based on trusting relationships was associated with better overall HRQOL and emotional health.
Korean J Health Promot 2010;10(3):113-122

Key Words: Social capital, Health related quality of life, Elderly, Rural area