Association of neighborhood recreational facilities and depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults

The relationship between night sleep duration, sleep quality and depressive symptoms in Chinese elderly couples

Although there are many studies analysing the relationship between sleep and depression in individuals, there is currently no bi-directional causal relationship between sleep and depression between older couples analysed from a binary perspective.Thus, this study used the CHARLS database to analyse the relationship between sleep and depression among older couples. A binary cross-lagged model was used to analyse the data.The study found an interaction between nighttime sleep duration and depression among older couples. Wife's depressive symptoms were significant predictors of husband's nocturnal sleep duration. Husband's depression and sleep quality predicted wife's sleep quality and depression, respectively.Thus, when screening community-dwelling older adults for depressive symptoms, we need to focus on different sleep influences depending on gender. In addition, when dealing with patients with depressive symptoms, we need to consider not only the patient but also the impact of their depressive symptoms on their spouse.

Construction of the "Full Path" of restorative effects on older adults' mental health in parks under seasonal differences: taking Changchun as an example

With the aging and older adults' mental health problems in China, more attention has been paid to the restorative environment. As an important restorative environment in the city, the mental health restorative effect of park environment has been confirmed. However, further exploration is needed to determine whether winter parks have positive effects, their differences from non-winter parks, and the specific pathways of these effects. Therefore, this study constructed a "full path" for the restorative effects of older adults' mental health in parks under seasonal differences, including four components: perceived environment, affective feedback, behavioral feedback, and restorative effect, forming four pathways. Based on this, this study obtained 211 and 240 sample data in winter and non-winter parks, and verified the validity of various hypotheses and mediation paths using structural equation models. It found that: (1) overall restorative effects existed in different seasons; (2) in winter, perceived environmental assessment was not a direct antecedent of restorative effects, and affective feedback and Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity (MVPA) feedback were important mediating factors, and the chain mediated pathway existed; (3) in non-winter, both direct, indirect and chain mediated effects existed, and affective feedback and Low Physical Activity (LPA) feedback were important mediating factors. Based on this, this study divided parks into "affective inducing" and "behavioral promoting" types, and proposed corresponding planning priorities to positively intervene in planning and design practices.

1 km of living area: age differences in the association between neighborhood environment perception and self-rated health among Chinese people

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the age differences in the relationship between neighborhood environment perception and self-rated health among Chinese people.

STUDY DESIGN

This is cross-sectional study.

METHODS

The participants were 2,631 residents aged 18 and above from 2021 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS). Self-rated health was reported by residents. Neighborhood environment was measured by respondents' subjective perception of 1 km living area. Ordered logit regression models were used to examine the relationship between neighborhood environment perception and self-rated health.

RESULTS

In summary, 42.08% were classified as young adults, and 57.92% were classified as middle-aged and older adults. Young adults with higher perception of neighborhood social environment were more likely to perceive good health. Neighborhood built environment was significantly associated with self-rated health among middle-aged and older adults.

CONCLUSION

The neighborhood environment is an important predictor of the health of its residents. Neighborhood environmental modifications should be tailored to meet the needs of different age groups, promoting health equity.

Does childhood parental death impact late life health directly and indirectly? Evidence from a National Survey in China

Despite growing interest in understanding the impact of childhood parental death, less is known about its long-term effects on older adults. We investigated the mediating role of poor health perception in the relationship between childhood parental loss and late life health. A cross-sectional study using data from the 2016 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey was conducted. Our final sample featured 8,547 older adults. The prevalence of childhood parental death was 9.8%. Results indicated a significant direct impact of childhood parental death on depression and cognitive function. Mediating effects were observed, with older adults who experienced childhood parental loss perceiving their health status as significantly worse. This, in turn, predicted higher levels of objective physical impairment, greater depression, and lower levels of cognitive function. Our study offers the first empirical evidence of the enduring negative effects of childhood parental death as well as the pivotal mediating role of poor health perception.