Objective  To analyze the relationship between community social capital and quality of life among the middle-aged and elderly rural-to-urban residents, and to provide the policy reference for improving the health status.

  Methods  A multi-stage random sampling method was used to select the research objects. Univariate analysis and logistic regression model were used to explore the effect of social capital on quality of life among the middle-aged and elderly rural-to-urban urbanized residents.

  Results  The scores of self-rated physical health and mental health in the rural-to-urban residents were lower than those of urban residents (P<0.05). The total score of community social capital, community participation and community cohesion in the rural-to-urban residents were lower than those of urban residents (P<0.05). The result of multivariate analysis showed that community attachment and community cohesion were the protective factors of physical health (P<0.05), and community cohesion was the protective factor of mental health (P<0.05).

  Conclusion  There is a correlation between community belonging, community cohesion and quality of life among the elderly rural-to-urban residents. Attention should be paid to the promotion of community social capital so as to improve the health status of middle-aged and elderly rural-to-urban residents.