The research seeks to validate the connections and potential pathways of influence between healthy lifestyles, psychological resilience, and depressive symptoms in the elderly population of China. Data from the Chinese Elderly Health Influential Factors Tracking Survey 2018 was used to analyze the interrelationships among healthy lifestyles, psychological resilience, and depressive symptoms through stepwise regression. The study also assessed the robustness of mediation effects using Sobel and Bootstrap testing methods.
The results indicated that healthy lifestyles in the Chinese elderly population were negatively associated with depressive symptoms and positively associated with psychological resilience. Furthermore, psychological resilience was found to have a negative association with depressive symptoms. The research concluded that psychological resilience partially mediated the association between healthy lifestyles and depressive symptoms, with the mediating effect accounting for 44.8% of the total effect. These findings shed light on the relationship between healthy lifestyles and depressive symptoms in the elderly population and underscore the significant role of psychological resilience. The study recommends that the government and policymakers take comprehensive measures, such as promoting healthy lifestyles and education, providing psychological support services, and creating a conducive environment, to improve depressive symptoms among older adults.
The aging of the population has become a worldwide phenomenon, particularly in countries with a substantial elderly population such as China. With the aging population comes an increased risk of depression, a prevalent mental disorder among older adults. Addressing the challenges posed by global aging and enhancing the quality of life for older adults requires an understanding of the influences and potential pathways associated with depressive symptoms in this demographic.
Healthy lifestyles, encompassing physical activity, a nutritious diet, and avoidance of smoking and alcohol, are vital components of maintaining good health in the elderly. Research has shown that regular physical activity and a healthy diet are associated with a reduced risk of depressive symptoms in older adults. Additionally, smoking and alcohol consumption demonstrate significant correlations with depressive symptoms in older adults. However, evidence on the impact of integrated healthy lifestyles on depressive symptoms is limited, particularly in developing countries.
Psychological resilience, defined as the ability to adapt to stress and maintain psychological well-being, has been identified as a protective factor against depressive symptoms. Several studies have demonstrated that psychological resilience plays a substantial role in promoting mental health and breaking the link between loneliness and depressive symptoms in elderly individuals. Despite the positive correlation between psychological resilience and depressive symptoms, there has been less attention devoted to exploring the relationship between healthy lifestyles and psychological resilience.
Based on previous research, the study proposed four hypotheses, all of which were supported by the findings. The study discovered that healthy lifestyles had a positive predictive effect on the prevention of depressive symptoms in Chinese older adults, and it also established a positive influence of healthy lifestyles on psychological resilience and the mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between healthy lifestyles and depressive symptoms.
The study utilized the China Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) and included 9448 samples from the survey. Descriptive statistical results indicated that healthy lifestyles had an inverse correlation with depressive symptoms and a positive correlation with psychological resilience, while psychological resilience correlated negatively with depressive symptoms. Furthermore, stepwise regression analysis confirmed the impact of healthy lifestyles on depressive symptoms, psychological resilience, and the influence of healthy lifestyles on depressive symptoms while controlling for psychological resilience.
The findings provide robust evidence supporting the critical role of psychological resilience in the mental well-being of older adults. The study highlights the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles and enhancing psychological resilience as part of comprehensive interventions for depressive symptoms in older adults. It is recommended that the government and policymakers formulate holistic health promotion programs that include initiatives for healthy lifestyle promotion, psychological resilience development, and health education and advocacy to address the mental health needs of older adults.
In conclusion, the study offers valuable insights into the associations among healthy lifestyles, psychological resilience, and depressive symptoms in older adults. By understanding the impact of integrated healthy lifestyles and the mediating role of psychological resilience in the relationship between healthy lifestyles and depressive symptoms, the study provides a foundation for developing effective mental health interventions and policies focused on promoting healthy aging among older adults.