How Family and Friendships Support Mental Health in Older Adults Living in Cities and Rural Areas of China

Older adults living with both a spouse and adult children report superior mental health compared to those living alone (β = 1.240, p < 0.001).

• Living arrangements significantly influence depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults.
• Older adults residing alone in rural areas are more likely to experience mental health disadvantages compared to those in urban settings (β = 0.535, p < 0.05).
• Strong friendship ties can mitigate the negative effects of living alone on mental health in rural older adults (β = -0.145, p < 0.01).
• For rural older adults living only with children, strong family ties are crucial for better mental health, while weak family ties can lead to significant disadvantages (β = -0.137, p < 0.05).
• The relationship between living arrangements and mental health varies based on the strength of social networks.

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