Household indebtedness and depressive symptoms among older adults in China: the moderating role of social network and anticipated support

Objective: The present study aimed to clarify the circumstances under which activity restriction (AR) is associated with depressive symptoms among patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and their spouses. Method: A total of 220 older adults with OA and their caregiving spouses participated in the study. The actor–partner interdependence model (APIM) was used to examine the associations between AR stemming from patients’ OA and the depressive symptoms of patients and spouses. The potential moderating role of marital satisfaction also was examined. Results: After accounting for pain severity, health, and life stress of both patients with OA and spouses, higher AR was associated with more depressive symptoms for both patients and spouses. In regard to partner effects, patients whose spouse had higher AR reported more depressive symptoms. In addition, the association of spouses’ and patients’ AR and their own depressive symptoms was moderated by their marital satisfaction. For both patients and spouses, the associations between their own AR and depressive symptoms were weaker for those with higher levels of marital satisfaction compared with those with lower levels of marital satisfaction. Discussion: This pattern of findings highlights the dyadic implications of AR and the vital role of marital satisfaction in the context of chronic illness.

Download Full-text

Community-Based Cognitive Social Capital and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in Urban China: The Moderating Role of Family Social Capital

The International Journal of Aging and Human Development ◽

10.1177/0091415019848202 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 90 (3) ◽

pp. 297-316

Author(s):

Jingyue Zhang ◽

Nan Lu

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Social Capital ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Urban China ◽

Community Based ◽

Family Social Capital ◽

Cognitive Social Capital ◽

The Relationship ◽

Moderating Role

The present study examined the moderating role of family social capital in the relationship between community-based cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older adults in urban China. Cross-sectional data were derived from a community survey conducted in Suzhou, China, in late 2015. Data from 441 respondents were included in the final analysis. Multiple group analysis was used to test the hypotheses. The latent construct of community-based cognitive social capital was based on trust and reciprocity indicators. Measurement invariance was established across groups with high or low family social capital. The results show that family social capital had a moderation effect on the relationship between community-based cognitive social capital and depressive symptoms. The effects of community-based cognitive social capital on depressive symptoms were higher among those with low family social capital. The findings demonstrate the interplay between family and community-based cognitive social capital. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.

Download Full-text

Social Network Types and Health among Older Adults in Rural China: The Mediating Role of Social Support

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph16030410 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 410 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Liping Ye ◽

Xinping Zhang

Keyword(s):

Social Support ◽

Older Adults ◽

Social Network ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Rural China ◽

Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Multiple Linear Regression Analysis ◽

Mediating Role ◽

Self Rated Health

This study aimed to identify social network types among older adults in rural China, to explore the relationship between social network types and the health of the older adults, and further, to examine the mediating role of social support in this relationship. A cross-sectional survey method was employed to investigate the health of adults aged 60 or older in rural areas of Hubei Province from 5 September 2018 to 15 October 2018; 405 samples were obtained. First, using k-means clustering analysis, we found five robust network types: diverse, restricted, family, friends and a specific type—family-restricted. Second, the results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that social network types were significantly associated with depressive symptoms and self-rated health in older adults. Older people with diverse friend networks were significantly associated with lower levels of depressive symptoms, whereas those with restricted and family-restricted networks were significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms and lower levels of self-rated health. Finally, the results of multiple linear regression analysis confirmed that social support partially mediated the association of the identified social network types with depressive symptoms and self-rated health. Enriching the social network relationships of older adults and providing them with more social support should be conducive to promoting their mental and physical health.

Download Full-text