Is labor force participation detrimental to the mental health of rural older adults? The mediating role of attitudes toward aging

Research findings confirm that Depression Scales serve as crucial indicators for assessing mental health among older adults. Labor participation is a significant psychological protective factor for rural seniors in China. Moderate labor effectively alleviates depressive symptoms and enhances overall mental well-being in this demographic, whereas excessive or relentless labor yields adverse effects. Mechanism analysis indicates that labor participation helps older adults develop positive attitudes toward aging, thereby buffering and mediating the process by which potential health risks are transformed into psychological protective factors. This empirical study provides crucial evidence for policymakers to optimize rural labor force policies and establish intervention systems for active aging.