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Does social capital enhance political participation in older adults? Multi-level evidence from the European Quality of Life Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Fredrica Nyqvist

    (Åbo Akademi University)

  • Rodrigo Serrat

    (University of Barcelona)

  • Mikael Nygård

    (Åbo Akademi University)

  • Marina Näsman

    (Åbo Akademi University)

Abstract

This study explored the role of social capital for non-institutionalised and institutionalised political participation among older adults compared to younger age groups using European Quality of Life Survey data (EQLS) from 2016 and 33 countries (n = 36,908). Multilevel logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between individual- and country-level social capital and political participation. Findings revealed that, at the individual level, active associational engagement was positively related to both forms of political participation, while social trust and political trust were linked only to non-institutionalised participation—higher social trust and lower political trust were associated with a greater likelihood of participation. Country-level associational engagement was related to non-institutionalised political participation and country-level political trust with institutionalised participation. For older adults, active associational engagement had stronger individual and contextual effects on non-institutionalised political participation. These results enrich our understanding of political engagement in later life and highlight the unexplored potential for civic involvement among older adults.

Suggested Citation

  • Fredrica Nyqvist & Rodrigo Serrat & Mikael Nygård & Marina Näsman, 2024. "Does social capital enhance political participation in older adults? Multi-level evidence from the European Quality of Life Survey," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 21(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eujoag:v:21:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1007_s10433-024-00825-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10433-024-00825-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sofie Marien & Marc Hooghe & Ellen Quintelier, 2010. "Inequalities in Non-institutionalised Forms of Political Participation: A Multi-level Analysis of 25 countries," Political Studies, Political Studies Association, vol. 58, pages 187-213, February.
    2. Rodrigo Serrat & Fredrica Nyqvist & Sandra Torres & Sarah Dury & Marina Näsman, 2023. "Civic engagement among foreign-born and native-born older adults living in Europe: a SHARE-based analysis," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 20(1), pages 1-12, December.
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