# Social Capital and Family Well-Being Among Immigrant Chinese and Native Japanese Families Raising Children in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

## TL;DR

This study explores how social connections affect family well-being in Japanese and immigrant Chinese families in Japan, focusing on parental mental health.

## Contribution

It identifies how bonding social capital influences family well-being differently in native and immigrant families through parental depressive symptoms.

## Key findings

- Bonding social capital directly improves family well-being in Japanese families.
- In Chinese families, bonding social capital improves family well-being indirectly by reducing parental depressive symptoms.
- Tailored social policies are needed to address the differing needs of native and immigrant families.

## Abstract

Background/Objectives: Although several studies have examined the importance of social capital to individual health, the relationship between social capital and family well-being remains unclear. This study examines the relationships among social capital, parental depressive symptoms, and family well-being, and evaluates whether parental depressive symptoms mediate the association between social capital and family well-being in immigrant Chinese and native Japanese families. Methods: A cross-sectional study using Google questionnaires was conducted between January and April 2024 among parents of local Japanese and immigrant Chinese families with children. The survey assessed demographics and social capital using the PSCS-16 and K6 Scale, family well-being using the General Functioning Index of the Family Assessment Device, and family life satisfaction using the New Brief Job Stress Questionnaire. Multiple-group structural equation modeling clarified the association between bonding and bridging social capital and family well-being. Results: The survey data was collected from 133 parents (75 Japanese and 58 Chinese) of preschool children aged six years and under. About 81.2% of respondents were mothers and 18.8% were fathers, with the majority aged between 30 to 39 years (63.9%). Bonding social capital was positively associated with family well-being among Japanese families. In Chinese families, bonding social capital was indirectly associated with family well-being by reducing parental depressive symptoms. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of enhancing bonding social capital to benefit both native and immigrant families. Besides, policymakers should consider tailored strategies that reflect the differing needs of both groups.