title: Social capital, socioeconomic status, and health-related quality of life among older adults in Bogotá (Colombia).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main goal of this study was to evaluate the relationship between levels of cognitive social capital and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).
  
  
  METHODS
  A multilevel, cross-sectional study was conducted in 2007 in Bogotá Colombia. A total of 1,907 older adults completed the Spanish version of the Short Form of Health Survey (SF-8) to assess HRQOL. Cognitive dimension of social capital was assessed. Hierarchical linear regressions were conducted to determine the associations between social capital variables and HRQOL.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only 20% to 25% of the population reported trust in others and shared values. A total of 93% percent reported that people in their neighborhood would try to take advantage of them if given a chance. Higher social capital indicators were positively associated with the mental and physical dimensions of HRQOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results from this study support evidence on the disintegration of the Colombian society, which may be influenced by high levels of social inequality.
authors.affiliation: Fundación para la Educación y el Desarrollo Social, Bogotá, Colombia dilucumi@fundacionfes.org.
authors.forename: Diego I
authors.initials: DI
authors.lastname: Lucumí
authors.affiliation: Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia.
authors.forename: Luis F
authors.initials: LF
authors.lastname: Gomez
authors.affiliation: Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Ross C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Brownson
authors.affiliation: Washington University in St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors.forename: Diana C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Parra
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition; D003105:Colombia; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D011788:Quality of Life; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D066270:Social Capital; D012923:Social Class; D012938:Social Perception; D035502:Trust
keywords: health-related quality of life; older adults; social capital; socioeconomic status