J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2025 Oct 17:gbaf198. doi: 10.1093/geronb/gbaf198. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the influence of ecological-level marketization, individual-level filial support, and their interaction on depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults.
METHODS: Population-based data from the 2016 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey were utilized (N = 9,397). A hierarchical linear model was employed to evaluate the extent to which market transition, as measured by the marketization index, filial support defined by financial, instrumental, and emotional support, and their interactions, influenced depressive symptoms in older adults across genders.
RESULTS: The results indicated that higher provincial marketization and greater filial support were associated with reduced levels of depressive symptoms. However, the mitigating effect of filial support on depressive symptoms may diminish for older parents residing in highly marketized regions, particularly concerning instrumental support. Importantly, gender differences emerged in the main and interactive effects between filial support and marketization. Compared to men, older women generally derived more benefit from filial support but were more vulnerable to depressive symptoms when living in highly marketized areas.
DISCUSSION: It is crucial to consider filial piety in the formulation of public mental health policies aimed at preventing depressive symptoms among older adults, with a specific focus on older women in highly marketized regions in China.
PMID:41105156 | DOI:10.1093/geronb/gbaf198
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