Patterns of Social Participation and Late-Life Depression: The Mediating Role of Social Support and Aging Attitudes

Objective : This study examined the engagement patterns of older Chinese adults and their association with depression, including potential mediating roles of social support and aging attitudes, and how they are influenced by urban and rural factors. Methods : We use latent class analysis to categorized social engagement patterns using national survey data from 5,582 Chinese adults aged over 60. The effect of moderation and mediation was tested by the PROCESS macro (Model 4 and Model 8) for SPSS 27.0 by Hayes, using 5,000 bootstrap samples. Results : Three social engagement patterns were identified: Low Engagement, Social Engagement, and Family-Social Engagement. Mediation analyses revealed that Social Engagement indirectly reduced depression by enhancing positive aging attitudes, though it was linked to lower social support, which did not impact depression. Family-Social Engagement showed no significant effect on depression. Low Engagement indirectly reduced depression through positive aging attitudes but directly increased depression. Moderated mediation analysis indicated aging attitudes consistently mediated these effects, with urban factors strengthening the positive impact of Social Engagement on aging attitudes, while rural areas showed a negative association. No significant urban–rural differences were found for Low Engagement. Conclusion : Aging attitudes mediate the impact of Social Engagement on depression; urban–rural factors moderate this effect. Future studies need to measure social support comprehensively and explore the mechanism of Family Social Engagement and depression. Implications : Tailor interventions for urban and rural areas. Promote positive aging attitudes and enhance community support structures.