Background: With aging populations, understanding mechanisms linking social factors to emotional well-being in the older adult is critical. This study examines how social capital, social support, community sense, and social desirability interact to influence negative emotions. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 904 older adult individuals in Liaoning, China, utilized standardized scales: GDS-10 (negative emotions), SSRS (social support), BSCS (community sense), and MCSDS (social desirability). Mediation and moderation analyses were conducted. Results: The results demonstrated significant negative correlations between social capital/social support and negative emotions. Social support was identified as a mediating factor linking social capital to reduced negative emotions. Additionally, community sense and social desirability moderated the relationship between social support and negative emotions, with stronger community belonging and higher social desirability amplifying the protective effect of social support. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of fostering social capital, strengthening social support networks, cultivating community integration, and addressing social desirability biases to alleviate negative emotions in the older adult. The study provides actionable insights for designing targeted mental health interventions aimed at improving emotional well-being in aging populations.
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