A chain mediation model reveals the association between social capital and successful aging in older adults

Aging leads to a range of adverse health outcomes and increases the economic burden of healthcare. Therefore, understanding how to achieve and maintain successful aging is crucial for ensuring the future health of older adults. This study aimed to examine the relationships between social capital, resilience, self-care, and successful aging among older adults, with the objective of fostering and promoting successful aging. This study conducted a cross-sectional study on 584 older adults in China. Data were collected using the Successful Aging Scale, Self-care Scale, Resilience Scale, and Social Capital Scale. Hierarchical linear regression and structural equation modeling were used for analysis.The results showed that Self-care had the greatest impact on successful aging (P < 0.01) ; Social capital did not have a direct impact on successful aging (standardized direct effect = 0.054, P > 0.05); The total indirect effect of social capital on successful aging was 0.594 (P < 0.01); The individual mediation effects of resilience and self-care between social capital and successful aging were 0.200 and 0.315 (P < 0.01), respectively, while the chain mediation effect was 0.079 (P < 0.01). These findings suggested that social capital influenced successful aging mainly by enhancing resilience and promoting self-care.