The mediating role of social network between social trust and life satisfaction of older people: A structural equation model analysis approach

BackgroundAlthough studies have demonstrated the relationship between the social trust and life satisfaction of older people, but existing studies have rarely considered the fewer studies have investigated social network as a mediating variable between social trust and life satisfaction. MethodsIn this study, 297 participants (age: [&ge;]60 years) in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, completed a questionnaire of social trust, social network, and life satisfaction. Structural equation model analysis and bootstrap methods were used to prove the mediating effect of social network. ResultsSocial trust was positively related to life satisfaction (B =0.410; p <0.01) and social network (B =0.472; p <0.01), social network was positively related to life satisfaction (B =0.433; p <0.01). and social network played an intermediary role in the relationship between social trust and life satisfaction (indirect effects = 0.321, bootstrap 95% CI = [0.051, 0.968]). ConclusionThese findings suggest the importance of social trust for life satisfaction, with social network acting as a positive mediator, particularly in China. In conclusion, this study exploring the mediating effect of social network provides knowledge essential for ensuring a happy old age. The study results can help advance psychological research on life satisfaction of older people and suggest new intervention strategies in this field. We encourage increasing the expansion of social networks through various means to enhance the impact of social trust on life satisfaction of older people.