Retirement, Leisure Activities, and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults: Evidence From China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey Data

Previous research has reported both positive and negative associations between retirement and depressive symptoms; however, little is known about the actual situation in Chinese society, as well as potential mediators in this association. Drawing from the 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey data (CLASS) (<i>N</i> = 9,883), we employed OLS regression models and the bootstrap approach to assess the association between retirement and depressive symptoms and the mediating effect of engagement in leisure activities. Results showed that retirement is associated with reduced depressive symptoms among older adults in China. Besides, engagement in leisure activities including group and individual activities partially mediated the average association between retirement and depressive symptoms, and individual activities exert stronger mediating effects than group activities. China should take small steps to raise the retirement age and implement its flexibility. A promising strategy to prevent depressive symptoms entails encouraging retirees to engage more in leisure activities, especially individual activities.