Negative Life Events, Social Ties, and Depressive Symptoms for Older Adults in China

Abstract

Although it is widely acknowledged that older adults who have gone through negative life events are more likely to develop depression, there is limited evidence on whether and which type of social ties moderate this perceived relationship. Based on 2016 and 2018 waves of Chinese Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (4,466 individuals, 8,932 observations), we apply linear fixed effects models and confirm that negative life events are associated with depressive symptoms for older adults (Coef. = 0.35; 95% CIs 0.11–0.61), and social ties are negatively associated with depression (Coef. = −0.08; 95% CIs −0.10 to −0.07). Our study further suggests that the association between negative life events and depressive symptoms is significantly moderated by friendship ties (Coef. = −0.18, 95% CIs −0.30 to −0.07), rather than family ties (Coef. = −0.03, 95% CIs −0.09 to 0.15). Moreover, the buffering effects of friendship ties are more prominent for the less resilient and less privileged groups, namely male, rural, and less educated older adults. Our findings point to the importance of expanding and strengthening social networks for Chinese older adults in promoting their psychological health.

Effects of family multi-generational relationship on multimorbidity and healthy life expectancy for second generations: insight from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

“…The second generations in such families tend to place a stronger emphasis on family solidarity, harmony, and continuity than their peers in Western cultures. The mental health of older Chinese who had been married and had children benefited most from strong family ties than those from friendships and social communication [ 34 , 35 ]. Financial and emotional support from adult children is particularly important for the Chinese second generations, which improved their life satisfaction and cognitive function and reduced depressive symptoms [ 36 ].…”

Psychosocial Determinants of Knee Osteoarthritis Progression: Results from the Promoting Independence in Our Seniors with Arthritis Study

“… 32 ) Social networking also mediates the effects of negative life events on the development of depression in older adults. 33 ) Yamashita et al 34 ) found that the combination of social networks and financial incentives promoted physical activity more than financial incentives alone. Moreover, the positive association of smaller social networks with metabolic syndrome could be partially explained by physical inactivity.…”

Moderators of the Association Between Contact Frequency With Non-Cohabitating Adult Children and Depressive Symptoms Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults

“…The effects of age, sex, and social interactions on the mental health of older adults are well-established. With regards to social interaction, religious activity has been reported to reduce depression [ 24 ] and social support from friends has been demonstrated to act as a buffer in relation to negative life events and depressive symptoms [ 12 , 25 ]. Previous studies have indicated that both friends and spouses are strongly associated with depression [ 26 ].…”

“…With regards to social interaction, religious activity has been reported to reduce depression 24 and social support from friends has been demonstrated to act as a buffer in relation to negative life events and depressive symptoms. 12,25 Previous studies have indicated that both friends and spouses are strongly associated with depression. 26 Further, reports suggest that social activity is closely related to physical activity, and several studies have demonstrated that physical activity itself is closely associated with mental health.…”