The mediating role of depression in the association between social capital and school absenteeism among students: a multilevel mediation analysis in Japanese elementary and junior high schools

Background School absenteeism is a significant issue affecting children and adolescents worldwide. This study aimed to examine the mediating role of depression in the association between social capital and school absenteeism among students in Japanese elementary and junior high schools. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from 7765 students (aged 9–15 years, 49.7% female) in Hirosaki, Japan. Social capital was measured using the Japanese version of the Social Capital Questionnaire for Adolescent Students (SCQ-AS), depression was assessed via the Patient Health Questionnaire for Adolescents (PHQ-A), and school absence was reported by parents/guardians. Multilevel mediation analysis was employed to examine the associations at both the student and school levels. Results At the student level, depression fully mediated the relationship between social capital (school social capital, perceived safety, and neighborhood social capital) and school absence. At the school level, perceived safety had a direct effect on school absence (β = − 0.70, p < 0.01), whereas school social capital was negatively associated with depression (β = − 0.57, p < 0.001). However, no significant indirect effects were observed at the school level. Conclusion Depression mediates the association between social capital and school absence at the student level, whereras school-level perceived safety is directly associated with school absence. These findings suggest a multitiered approach to addressing school absenteeism, focusing on enhancing individual social capital and mental health support, as well as improving school-wide safety perceptions.