Examining the mediating role of sense of community and perceived social support in the effect of online social capital on psychological well-being in adults

This study examined the relationships between online social capital and sense of community, perceived social support, and psychological well-being in adults. A total of 304 adults aged 25 and over, who are active social media users, participated in the study. Data were collected using the Online Social Capital Scale, Sense of Community Scale, Multidimensional Perceived Social Support Scale, Psychological Well-Being Scale, and a Personal Information Form. The study was conducted within the framework of a structural equation model tested in two stages. In the first stage, the validity and reliability of the constructs were assessed by validating the measurement model (GFI = 0.93; CFI = 0.96; RMSEA = 0.076). In the second stage, the structural model was tested according to the proposed hypotheses, and the significance of indirect effects was evaluated using the bootstrap method. The results from the structural equation model indicated that sense of community, perceived social support, and psychological well-being significantly and effectively explained online social capital (GFI = 0.932; CFI = 0.964; RMSEA = 0.076). Alternative models also supported the indirect effects of these variables on online social capital. Overall, the findings suggest strong positive relationships between online social capital and sense of community, perceived social support, and psychological well-being, indicating that individuals' digital interactions enhance their psychological well-being by fostering social connectedness.