The association between social capital and quality of life in old adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Life satisfaction and quality of life are essential indicators of wellbeing in older adults. Social capital has been increasingly recognized as a key factor influencing these outcomes. This study systematically reviewed and synthesized existing evidence on the association between social capital and quality of life and life satisfaction among older adults through a systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was performed in MEDLINE (via PubMed), PsycINFO, and CINAHL (via EBSCO) from inception to January 15, 2025. Observational studies reporting quantitative associations between social capital and quality of life and life satisfaction in adults aged ≥60 years were included. Unadjusted effect sizes (r) were pooled using random-effects models for meta-analysis to account for variability across studies. Subgroup meta-analyses were conducted to examine differences based on publication period, geographic location, and quality of life measures. Between-study heterogeneity was tested using the I2 index, and publication bias was investigated using funnel plots, Egger's test, and Begg's test. Results: We identified 13 studies that included 5,880 older participants from seven countries. Meta-analyses revealed life satisfaction (r = 0.25, 95% CI: 0.20–0.31) and quality of life (r = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19–0.49) all demonstrated significant associations with social capital. The overall pooled effect size (r = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.22–0.32) demonstrated a consistent positive relationship. Subgroup analyses showed that cognitive social capital (r = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.18–0.49) had a stronger association than structural social capital (r = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.19–0.29). Regional differences were not statistically significant (p = 0.182), although the effect sizes varied across continents: America (r = 0.24, 95% CI: 0.16–0.32), and Asia (r = 0.30, 95% CI: 0.23–0.37). Statistical heterogeneity was observed across meta-analyses (I2 = 68.9–95.5%). Publication bias was not significant based on Egger's and Begg's tests. Conclusions: The findings of this meta-analysis suggest that social capital, particularly its cognitive dimension, plays an important role in enhancing quality of life and life satisfaction outcomes, with differences across time and geographic regions. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42025638236, identifier: CRD42025638236.