Depression and Social Capital Among High-Altitude Residents in Ladakh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Depression and social capital (SC) have been increasingly studied in diverse cultural settings, yet little is known about their relationship in high-altitude regions such as Ladakh, India.

This study examines the association between social capital and depressive tendencies among Ladakhi residents.

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 140 residents of Domkhar village, Ladakh, during community medical camps in 2018 to 2019. Depressive tendencies were assessed using the PHQ-9 (cutoff ⩾5, selected to capture mild depressive states based on Asian literature). Social capital was measured with structural and cognitive SC indices, along with the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and the Religious Commitment Inventory (RCI-10). Personality traits were assessed using the Ten-Item Personality Inventory (TIPI).

Depressive tendencies were identified in 12 participants (8.6%). Univariate logistic regression revealed that age ⩾60 years and living alone were significant risk factors, while being married, good subjective well-being, good health, good economic satisfaction, and engagement in structural SC were protective. Cognitive SC showed a protective trend. Extraversion scores were significantly lower among those with depressive tendencies. MSPSS and RCI-10 demonstrated a strong positive correlation. In multivariate analysis including all predictors simultaneously, only subjective well-being remained statistically significant (OR = 0.89, 95% CI [0.80, 0.98]).

Our findings suggest that both social capital and personality traits, particularly extraversion, play protective roles against depressive tendencies in Ladakh. Practical implications include leveraging community and religious structures, such as monasteries and local leaders, to enhance resilience in high-altitude populations.