Abstract

This study examined the impact of social capital on the clinical aspects of patients with Neurocognitive Disorders (NCD) through the lens of cognitive reserve (CR). A total of 200 patients were categorized into three groups-low, middle, and high—based on their levels of social capital. Clinical aspects were assessed across cognitive, behavioral, and emotional domains, followed by Pearson’s correlation analysis. In the cognitive domain, significant differences were found in attention, language and related functions, memory, and executive functions as measured by the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery 2nd Edition (SNSB-II), as well as in the total score of the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, 2nd Edition (K-MMSE-2). Scores on the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS) also varied significantly among the groups based on social capital levels. In the behavioral domain, notable differences emerged in the Barthel Activities of Daily Living (B-ADL) and the Seoul Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (S-IADL) assessments. In the emotional domain, higher levels of social capital correlated with lower scores on the Korean version of the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (K-MADRS) and the Short version of the Geriatric Depression Scale (SGDS). Correlation analysis indicated that social capital was linked to overall clinical aspects, with the strongest correlation observed with depression in the emotional domain. These findings suggest that social capital is closely associated with the clinical aspects of patients with NCD and may serve as a protective factor for cognitive reserve. Therefore, it is crucial to recognize social capital as a significant predictor of clinical aspects and to promote intervention programs that enhance social capital.