Testing and Comparing the Causal Relationship Between Spiritual and Social Capital and Depression With the Mediating Role of Death Anxiety in the Elderly With and Without a Spouse

Introduction: The world population is rapidly aging, and depression is a common mental disorder that is prevalent among the elderly in different countries. This study aimed to test the causal model of depression based on spiritual and social capital through death anxiety in the elderly. Materials and Methods: The statistical population included all the elderly in Tehran in 2020, from which 371 people were selected by convenience sampling. They answered online questionnaires of depression, death anxiety, spiritual and social capital. Data were analyzed using path analysis method using Amos software. Results: The results showed that both spiritual and social capital variables had an indirect and significant relationship with depression through death anxiety. The direct relationship between spiritual capital and depression was not significant. But in addition to the indirect relationship, there was a significant direct relationship between social capital and depression. In other words, according to the findings, social capital was associated with depression in addition to its direct effect through its effect on death anxiety, but spiritual capital had all its effect on depression through death anxiety. Also, the comparison of the model between the two groups of elderly people with and without a spouse showed that the marital status of the model does not moderate. Conclusion: Spiritual and social capital is effective in predicting depression in the elderly in addition to its direct effect through death anxiety.