Living arrangements, activity participation and depression among older Chinese adults

Objectives: We examined the relationship among living arrangements, activity participation and depression and the mediating effects of activity participation on the relationship between living arrangements and depression. Study design: This was a cross-sectional study based on nationally representative data. Methods: 9647 older adults aged 60 years and over were recruited from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Three-step regression and mediation analysis methods were used. Results: Compared with older adults living with family members, those living in institutions attended fewer activities and experienced higher depression rates, and those living alone attended more activities and experienced higher depression rates. In the group living with family members, living with a spouse was an important way to increase activity participation and reduce depression. Mediation analysis suggested that activity participation mediated the impact of living arrangements on depression. Attending more activities could alleviate depression for older adults who are living alone, living in institutions and living without a spouse. Conclusion: Our findings suggest an emphasis on the role of spouses and activity participation during depression interventions among older adults. (c) 2023 The Royal Society for Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examined the relationship among living arrangements, activity participation, and depression, as well as the mediating effects of activity participation on the relationship between living arrangements and depression. The findings showed that older adults living in institutions attended fewer activities and had higher depression rates, while those living alone attended more activities and also had higher depression rates. Living with a spouse was found to be an important way to increase activity participation and reduce depression. Activity participation was found to mediate the impact of living arrangements on depression for older adults living alone, in institutions, and without a spouse.