The Influence of Family Interaction and Financial Assistance on Depression Level of the Widowed Elderly —Analysis based on CHARLS Tracking Survey Data

This study aims to investigate the influence of family assistance on the cognitive and depression levels of widowed elderly individuals. Using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2018, a questionnaire survey was conducted among widowed older adults with varying degrees of family contact, to examine whether different forms of family support lead to significant changes in their cognitive and depression levels. The results indicate that family financial support has a positive impact on the cognitive level of widowed elderly individuals (t=- 0.16, p<0.05). Daily family care also shows a positive effect on alleviating depression (t=-1.58, p<0.07). Furthermore, a significant negative correlation is observed between cognitive level and depression level among the widowed elderly (r=0.12, p<0.01). In conclusion, improving the mental health of widowed elderly individuals can be achieved by closely monitoring their psychological status, enhancing family financial support, and promoting family-based daily care.