Mental health literacy and mental health experiences on depression stigma among Chinese older adults: the mediating role of social support networks

OBJECTIVES: The association between mental health literacy and personal and interpersonal mental health experiences with personal stigma is increasingly recognized. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the hypothesized mediating role of social support networks between mental health literacy and personal and interpersonal mental health experiences, and personal depression stigma among Chinese older adults. METHODS: Using a cross-sectional design with 1,044 participants, we measured depression stigma with the Depression Stigma Scale, mental health literacy through vignettes, and social support with the Lubben Social Network Scale. Personal and interpersonal mental health experiences were assessed with yes/no questions. Structural equation modeling was used to examine their hypothesized relationships. RESULTS: < 0.001) were statistically associated with lower levels of personal depression stigma. Social support networks show statistical mediation in the relationships between mental health literacy, personal mental health experiences, and personal depression stigma (CFI = 0.977; TLI = 0.956; RMSEA = 0.035; SRMR = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Our cross-sectional study suggested that mental health literacy and personal mental health experiences were associated with lower levels of personal depression stigma in Chinese older adults, with their associations being statistically mediated by the presence of informal social support networks.