What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the association between intergenerational contact with adult children and depressive symptoms among adults aged 50 years and older across 33 countries.

August 16, 2026EClinicalMedicineOpen Access

Intergenerational contact and depressive symptoms in midlife and older adults: an analysis of six cohort studies across 33 countries

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RGRuijie GongTiangong University XLXinyi LiuShanghai Jiao Tong University YZYalu ZhangStony Brook University

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Multi-cohort study shows infrequent contact with adult children increases depressive symptoms in older adults, highlighting the protective role of regular intergenerational contact.

Key Points

To investigate the association between intergenerational contact with adult children and depressive symptoms among adults aged 50 years and older across 33 countries.
Analyzed harmonized data from six population-based cohort studies (HRS, ELSA, SHARE, CHARLS, KLoSA, MHAS; N=189,036) collected across 33 countries between 2010 and 2019.
Categorized intergenerational contact as co-residence, living apart with frequent (at least weekly) contact, or living apart with infrequent contact.
Assessed depressive symptoms using CES-D or Euro-D scales via multivariable logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations.
Compared with co-residence, living apart with infrequent contact was associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms in Mexico (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.23–1.66), South Korea (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.14–1.35), China (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11–1.27), the US (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.10–1.28), and continental Europe (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05–1.16).
Living apart with frequent contact was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms in European cohorts, including England (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96) and continental Europe (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.91–0.96).

Cite This Study

Gong et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8179bcf2fb91fc834acff5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104148

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

August 16, 2026EClinicalMedicineOpen Access

Intergenerational contact and depressive symptoms in midlife and older adults: an analysis of six cohort studies across 33 countries

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

RGRuijie GongTiangong University XLXinyi LiuShanghai Jiao Tong University YZYalu ZhangStony Brook University

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Multi-cohort study shows infrequent contact with adult children increases depressive symptoms in older adults, highlighting the protective role of regular intergenerational contact.

Key Points

To investigate the association between intergenerational contact with adult children and depressive symptoms among adults aged 50 years and older across 33 countries.
Analyzed harmonized data from six population-based cohort studies (HRS, ELSA, SHARE, CHARLS, KLoSA, MHAS; N=189,036) collected across 33 countries between 2010 and 2019.
Categorized intergenerational contact as co-residence, living apart with frequent (at least weekly) contact, or living apart with infrequent contact.
Assessed depressive symptoms using CES-D or Euro-D scales via multivariable logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations.
Compared with co-residence, living apart with infrequent contact was associated with higher odds of depressive symptoms in Mexico (OR 1.43, 95% CI 1.23–1.66), South Korea (OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.14–1.35), China (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.11–1.27), the US (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.10–1.28), and continental Europe (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.05–1.16).
Living apart with frequent contact was associated with lower odds of depressive symptoms in European cohorts, including England (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.96) and continental Europe (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.91–0.96).

Cite This Study

Gong et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8179bcf2fb91fc834acff5 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2026.104148

Also Consider

Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context:

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark