Social engagement and activity variety in relation to depression: longitudinal evidence from diverse Chinese older adults

Social engagement is widely recognized as an important factor associated with positive, healthy, and successful aging. However, its relationship with depressive tendencies varies across populations, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to support diverse older adults. Using longitudinal data from the 2018 and 2020 China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), this study examines the associations between social engagement, activity variety, and depressive tendencies among older adults in China. Special attention is given to the heterogeneity of these associations across demographic subgroups, analyzed through two analytical approaches: social engagement and the variety of social activities. To address potential endogeneity concerns, the study uses Propensity Score Matching (PSM) and Instrumental Variable (IV) methods to validate the robustness of the results. The findings indicate that social engagement and activity variety are significantly associated with lower depressive tendencies among older adults in China, with this association remaining stable over time. Notably, social engagement does not show a significant association with depressive tendencies among rural older adults. However, a greater variety of social activities is negatively associated with depressive tendencies among those with agricultural hukou and those living in rural areas. Social engagement shows a stronger negative association with depressive tendencies among men, whereas activity variety is more strongly linked to lower depressive tendencies among women. Additionally, urban residents, non-agricultural hukou holders, those with higher education levels, and relatively younger older adults exhibit stronger negative associations between social engagement and depressive tendencies. These findings underscore the importance of designing targeted, inclusive interventions for diverse groups. By uncovering the differential associations and potential mechanisms across subpopulations, this study provides essential empirical evidence for alleviating depressive tendencies and promoting healthy aging among diverse older adult groups in China.