To examine the role of community-level social capital in developing posttraumatic growth (PTG) among older survivors of the 2011 Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
Key Findings:
Predisaster community-level informal socializing and social participation were positively associated with higher PTG scores (coefficient = 0.25).
Postdisaster maintenance of community-level informal socializing and social participation also correlated with higher PTG scores (coefficient = 0.22).
Interventions promoting social interactions among neighbors may enhance PTG in disaster survivors.
Interpretation:
Community social capital, particularly informal socializing and participation, plays a crucial role in fostering posttraumatic growth among older adults following a natural disaster.
Limitations:
The study is limited to a specific geographic area and may not be generalizable to other populations.
Self-reported measures of social capital and PTG may be subject to bias.
Conclusion:
Encouraging social interactions within communities may be an effective strategy to promote psychological resilience and growth among older disaster survivors.
