Effects of child loss on depression in the Chinese elderly: social activities as mediator

Objectives: Some elderly individuals with child loss experience have successfully reduced their level of grief, whereas others have experienced long-term depression. This study investigates the relationship between child loss and depression in the Chinese elderly and assesses the mediating role of social activities in this relationship. Methods This study uses data from the 2018 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. A total of 5306 respondents aged 60 y and above were enrolled; of this number, 688 individuals experienced child loss, whereas 4618 reported no such. Both a linear regression model (for CES-D scores) and a logistic regression model (for dichotomous depression symptoms) were employed to verify the effect of child loss on depression. The Karlson-Holm-Breen (KHB) decomposition technique was applied to determine the extent to which family support and social support potentially mediate the correlation between child loss and depression. Results Senior participants with child loss experience were more likely to be depressed than senior participants with no child loss experience. Among the effects of child loss on the elderly, 2.17% led to more severe depression symptoms due to reduced participation in social activities, and social activities mediated the relationship between child loss and depression. Depression experienced by the elderly with child loss experience exhibited significant heterogeneity by gender and marital status. Conclusion Significant differences in depression and social activity were found between senior participants with child loss experience and those without. Future research needs to assess depression in bereaved elderly individuals and design intervention plans that include sensible socialization.