Associations between Intergenerational Structure Transitions, Marital Status Transitions, and Depressive Symptoms among Chinese Middle-aged and Older People: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Introduction: Intergenerational structures in China have undergone significant changes over recent decades. However, the relationship between intergenerational structure transitions, marital status transitions, and depressive symptoms remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the topic among middle-aged and older adults in China. Methods: Data were drawn from 7732 participants in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in both the 2018 and 2020 surveys. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the associations between intergenerational structure transitions, marital status transitions, and depressive symptoms. Results: A total of 7732 participants were included in the analysis, with a mean age of 60.89 years, and 51% of the participants were males. Among the study participants, compared to those who continued living in two-generation households, transitioning from two-generation households to one-generation households significantly reduced the risk of depressive symptoms (odds ratio [OR] = 0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.64–0.99). In addition, participants who transitioned from married to unmarried (OR = 1.90, 95% CI = 1.39–2.59), or stayed unmarried (OR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.22–1.59) had a higher risk of depressive symptoms compared to those who stayed married. Conclusion: We found that middle-aged and older adults who continuously resided in two-generation households, and those who transitioned from married to unmarried status or stayed unmarried, were more likely to experience depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, the transition from two-generation to one-generation households significantly reduced the risk of depressive symptoms. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions and support for those at-risk groups.