Abstract
Numerous studies have acknowledged the link between marital satisfaction and depressive symptoms, yet a comprehensive family-centric perspective remains unexplored. This investigation delves into the influences of marital satisfaction on depressive symptoms among elderly pairs, considering both individual and cross-spousal impacts, while highlighting the intermediary role of the parent-child relationship. Employing data from 2909 Chinese pairs aged 60 and above in the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, we utilized the Actor-Partner-Interdependence-Model (APIM). This model examined emotional ties within families and their associations with depressive indicators on individual and spousal levels. Our APIM analysis revealed a positive correlation between depressive symptoms in husbands and wives and their respective levels of marital satisfaction. Notably, wives’ marital satisfaction significantly predicted depressive symptoms in husbands. The parent-child bond emerged as a mediator, linking marital satisfaction to depressive symptoms for both genders. Specifically, wives’ perception of the parent-child relationship mediated the link between their marital satisfaction and husbands’ depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were linked to personal marital satisfaction, and the parent-child relationship served as a mediator for both partners. Importantly, the marital satisfaction of wives and the parent-child relationship significantly impacted the depressive symptoms of both spouses, particularly predicting depressive tendencies among husbands. Therefore, interventions aimed at the mental well-being of aging spouses should adopt a comprehensive family-centric approach, with a specific focus on aging females.
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Data availability
The CHARLS 2018 dataset used in this study is publicly available (http://charls.pku.edu.cn).
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Acknowledgements
The CHARLS data collection funded by US National Institute in Aging, World Bank, and the National Social Science Foundation of China are gratefully acknowledged. Additionally, we extend our appreciation for the support received from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants No. 71764014 and 71764035).
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Zhang, X., Dai, J., Chen, Y. et al. A study on the association between family emotional bonds and depressive symptoms among Chinese older couples: evidence from the China health and retirement longitudinal study. Curr Psychol 43, 20324–20335 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05807-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-024-05807-x