Social isolation and depressive symptoms among chinese older adults: Serial mediating roles of social support and resilience.

BACKGROUND

Social isolation is a significant risk factor for depressive symptoms in older adults, with social support and resilience serving as protective factors. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are not well understood.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was performed of 1020 participants (aged ≥ 60years) in the northern, central and southern parts of Jiangsu Province, China. A general information questionnaire, the Lubben Social Network Scale-6, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10, and the Geriatric Depression Scale-5 were used. This study investigated the complex interplay among social isolation, social support, resilience, and depressive symptoms. Using the bootstrapping approach, serial multiple mediation models were constructed to explore the potential serial mediating roles of social support and resilience in the link between social isolation and depression.

RESULTS

Lower level of social isolation scores (coefficient = -0.2441, p < 0.001), lower level of social support (coefficient = -0.2368, p < 0.001) and lower level of resilience (coefficient = -0.1594, p < 0.001), were significantly associated with higher level of depressive symptoms. Social support and resilience in serial, mediated the relationship between social isolation scores and depressive symptoms (total effect: coefficient = -0.4526, 95 % CI [-0.0351, -0.0219]; total direct effect: coefficient = -0.2441, 95 % CI [-0.0423, -0.0240]; total indirect effect: coefficient = -0.2085, 95 % CI [-0.2531, -0.1642]).

CONCLUSIONS

Greater attention should be devoted to enhancing social support for Chinese older adults facing social isolation, which could foster higher resilience to prevent the onset of depressive symptoms. It is critical in driving the progress of mental health among aging community.