Influence of intergenerational relationships on depressive symptoms in ageing Chinese adults in Hong Kong: Mediating effects of sense of loneliness

Childhood Interpersonal Trauma and Depression of Middle-Aged and Older Adults in China: The Mediation Effect of Social Integration

Objectives: This study investigates the associations between five types of childhood interpersonal trauma (CIT) and depression in mid-later life, as well as the mediation roles of social integration in the associations. Methods: Two waves of data from a nationally representative survey in China were used, with participants aged 45 years and older (N = 14,180). Measures of CIT included physical abuse, physical neglect, emotional neglect, bullying victimization, and exposure to interparental violence. Binary logistic regression and Karlson-Holm-Breen mediation analysis were used as statistical methods. Results: People who were bullied, physically abused, and witnessed interparental violence during childhood were more likely to develop depression in mid-later years. The associations between CIT and depression were mediated by satisfaction with marriage, satisfaction with children, and perceived social support. Discussion: Although CIT elevates the risk of depression in later life, effective interventions that strengthen integration across family and social domains could benefit mental health.

The effect of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults-the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance

Objective

Loneliness is a key social and public health issue, mainly affecting the mental health of older adults. The article aimed to explore the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the article also analyzed the moderating effects of internet usage and intergenerational distance in this process.

Methods

Based on the data received from 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), the ordinary least square (OLS) regression model was used to analyze the influence of intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults. Furthermore, the Bootstrap method was used to test the moderating effect of internet usage and intergenerational distance on the relationship between intergenerational support from children on loneliness among older adults.

Results

Baseline regression showed that economic support (β = -0.059, p < 0.001), caregiving support (β = -0.070, p < 0.001), and emotional support (β = -0.108, p < 0.001) from children can positively influence loneliness among older adults. Meanwhile, the results of the moderated effects analysis showed that internet usage and intergenerational distance moderates the relationship between caregiving support, emotional support from children and loneliness among older adults.

Conclusion

The article demonstrates that family support, particularly intergenerational support from children plays a pivotal role in alleviating loneliness among older adults, so the government should further regulate the behavior of children's alimony support, improve the digital infrastructure, these measures help to reduce loneliness among older adults and expand the depth and breadth of family care of older adults.

The association between intergenerational relationships and depression among older adults: A comprehensive systematic literature review

OBJECTIVE

This systematic review aims to comprehensively examine the relationship between intergenerational relationships and depression among older adults in Eastern Asian countries.

METHODS

For this research, a systematic search was conducted on several electronic databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar search engine up until June 2023.

RESULTS

Out of 953 articles initially identified, 33 met the inclusion criteria. Emotional support and financial support emerged as crucial factors that can significantly reduce depressive symptoms among older individuals. However, there are diverse and sometimes contradictory results regarding the impact of intergenerational instrumental support on depression in older adults.

CONCLUSION

Promoting positive intergenerational relationships and enhancing support systems can greatly benefit the mental health of older adults by addressing depression within this population. This review enhances our understanding of the complex relationship between intergenerational relationships and depression among older adults. The diverse findings on intergenerational instrumental support and depression in older adults suggest the need for further research to clarify this relationship and its nuances. This research may have practical implications for policies and interventions aimed at improving the mental well-being of older adults in Eastern Asian countries.

How is intergenerational emotional cohesion linked to depression among older internal migrants in China: the mediating roles of loneliness and perceived stress

BACKGROUND

Late-life internal migration is frequently associated with a higher risk of depression in older parents. This research delves into the impact of intergenerational emotional cohesion (IEC) on depression in older internal migrants and the underlying mechanisms within the contemporary Chinese context.

METHODS

Obtained from a cross-sectional survey in Nanjing, China, the research involved 654 older internal migrants (66.97% female; mean age = 66.05 years; SD = 4.67). Variables were assessed using the Intergenerational Solidarity Inventory, 3-item R-UCLA Loneliness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). For mediation exploration, a serial mediation model was utilized, and the Bootstrap method was employed to test the signifcance of these mediation effects.

RESULTS

IEC demonstrates a negative correlation with depression. Through IEC, three significant mediation pathways were identified that directly affect depression: (1) loneliness (β=-0.06; Ratio=17.14%), (2) perceived stress (β=-0.09; Ratio=25.71%), and (3) loneliness and perceived stress (β=-0.03; Ratio=8.57%).

CONCLUSIONS

IEC can impact the depression of older internal migrants by mitigating negative psychological emotions during the migration process. This finding provides valuable theoretical insights for the prevention of mental health problems among this demographic.

Community home elderly care services, multidimensional health and social participation of chronically ill elderly-Empirical analysis based on propensity score matching and multiple mediation analysis

Introduction

In recent years, China's aging process has deepened rapidly, the disease spectrum of the population has undergone major changes, the proportion and scale of elderly patients with chronic diseases are growing rapidly, and the multidimensional health problems of the chronically ill elderly are prominent, seriously affecting the participation of the chronically ill elderly in family, community, and social development. In response, China has implemented the "active response to population aging strategy," accelerated the development of community home elderly care services, and encouraged the chronically ill elderly to continue to play a role through social participation. So how does the community-based home-based medical care service affect the social participation of the chronically ill elderly? Is an important subject.

Methods

Based on the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey and the propensity score matching method to measure the impact of community home elderly care services on the four types of social participation of chronically ill elderly, including economic participation, family participation, voluntary participation, and political participation, and group differences, and uses the multiple mediation analysis method to explore the mechanism and effect of community home elderly care services on the four types of social participation of chronically ill elderly.

Results

(1) Community home elderly care services have an asymmetric impact on the social participation of the chronically ill elderly, and have generally promoted the level of social participation of the chronically ill elderly. (2) Community home elderly care services change the social participation arrangements of the chronically ill elderly by driving and inhibiting effects, so that it has a tendency to reduce economic participation and increase voluntary participation and political participation as a whole. This feature shows group differences among the chronically ill elderly of different ages, education levels, living arrangements and community types. (3) Community home elderly care services have an asymmetric impact on various social participation of the chronically ill elderly through the multidimensional health mediation mechanism.

Conclusion

(1) With the continuous deepening of the interweaving between the growth of chronic diseases and the aging of the population in China, the development of a positive aging society must attach great importance to the important role of social participation for the chronically ill elderly. (2) Strengthen the development of physical, psychological, and social adaptation and other health abilities of the chronically ill elderly, shape their awareness of social participation, and give the chronically ill elderly a reasonable social role orientation. (3) Through policy incentives, promote the realization of fairness, justice, adequacy, and sustainability of community home elderly care services. (4) Pay special attention to the penetration, integration, and application of digital technology into the field of community home elderly care services to effectively protect the health of chronically ill elderly, ensure that the elderly with different chronic diseases participate in social activities of high quality, enjoy a high-quality happy life, and promote the high-quality development of the aging society.