Hukou moderation of resilience-related resources and psychological status in older adults: a wenzhou study

China’s household registration system (hukou) has long structured disparities in social, economic, and health resources between agricultural and non-agricultural populations, which may shape how resilience is associated with mental well-being in later life. This study examined whether hukou status moderated the associations between resilience-related resources and psychological status among community-dwelling older adults in Wenzhou. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 508 adults aged 60 years and above recruited from community settings in Wenzhou, China. Resilience-related resources were assessed across six ecological domains: psychological, family, community, social, cultural, and environmental. Psychological status was measured using life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Hierarchical regression and moderation analyses were conducted using the SPSS PROCESS macro. Hukou status moderated the associations of family harmony and filial support with life satisfaction. The association between family harmony and life satisfaction was stronger among non-agricultural hukou holders, whereas the association between filial support and life satisfaction was stronger among agricultural hukou holders. Hukou status also moderated the associations of psychological resilience and social networks with depressive symptoms. Among agricultural hukou holders, higher psychological resilience and larger social networks were associated with more depressive symptoms, in contrast to the patterns observed among non-agricultural hukou holders. Among community-dwelling older adults recruited in Wenzhou, these findings suggest that hukou status may be associated with differences in how resilience-related resources are linked to psychological status in later life. Policies aimed at reducing hukou-based welfare disparities and strengthening family- and community-based support may help address differences in how resilience resources are linked to older adults’ psychological outcomes. Further research using longitudinal designs and broader sampling was recommended to validate these associations. No applicable clinical trial number.