Difference of depression between widowed and non-widowed older people in China: A network analysis approach

In this study, the difference of depression network structures between the widowed and non-widowed older people and the associations of family capital, neighborhood cohesion, and neighborhood built environment with depressive symptoms were explored by using network analysis.

This study fitted network models to two subsamples extracted from a nationally representative and cross-sectional data from China Family Panel Studies (CFPS). Depressive symptom levels and the effect of the three possible influencing factors related on depression were compared.

The network structures of depression across the widowed and the non-widowed older people were different to some extent but significantly associated with one another. Neighborhood cohesion were significantly related to severe depressive symptoms in both subsamples. Neighborhood built environment mattered for the non-widowed older people, but not for their counterparts. Family capital also functioned in a different way for the two subsamples.

Investigation was carried out using cross-sectional data, and changes in contents could alter the network structure. In addition, grief-related variables were not included. New studies replicating the current findings with a wider range of contents, multiple time points and a larger sample are warranted.

This study added evidence to a growing body of literature on depressive symptom patterns for the widowed older people and their counterparts. Tailored service and treatment could be developed for the widowed and non-widowed older people based on their features of depression. The contextual factors including family, neighborhood, and physical environment could be taken into account when considering their association with depressive symptoms.