Neighborhood Social Capital and its Related Factors in the Coronavirus Pandemic: A Sample of Iranian Older Adults

Aims: Despite the importance of neighborhood social capital in wellbeing and health outcomes, very few studies have focused on predictors of neighborhood social capital, especially among older adults. This study aimed to identify the factors related to neighborhood social capital in the coronavirus pandemic among older adults. Instrument Methods: This crosssectional survey was conducted during the autumn of 2020 in Aran Bidgol, Iran. The sample consisted of 414 communitydwelling individuals aged 60 years and older, chosen by the clustered sampling. Adapted Social Capital Assessment and Place Attachment InstrumentOlder Adults scales were used. Data analysis was undertaken using SPSS 24 by bivariate analyses and multiple linear regressions. Findings: The mean age of the participants was 70.43 ±8.84 years, and 77.3% of them were married. The mean social capital score was 4.98 ±1.99, and the mean percentage score was 15.48 ±6.64. Being younger, attached to the neighborhood, the possibility of recreational activities in the neighborhood, knowing the number of neighbors, and home satisfaction significantly contributed to higher neighborhood social capital. Residence characteristics, including home satisfaction and the possibility of recreational activities in the neighborhood, had the strongest effect on the neighborhood social capital. Conclusion: The neighborhood social capital is very low in the pandemic, leading to the social exclusion of older adults. Findings suggest that alternative policies should be implemented to improve proper recreational activities and connections with neighbors, especially for the oldestold, to compensate for older adults #39; neighborhood social capital during the outbreak.