The migrant-native difference in the relationship between anxiety and depression among the elderly in China: a comparative network analysis

Apr 11, 2025Psychology, health & medicine

Differences between migrants and locals in how anxiety and depression relate among older adults in China

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Circadian Biology on OpenScience ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Abstract

The anxiety and depression levels of native elderly are higher than those of migrant elderly.

Migrant and native elderly populations show identical central symptoms, including 'hypochondria' and 'restless'.
'Worry' and 'sad mood' are identified as bridge symptoms in both groups.
'Anhedonia' is more central in the network of migrant elderly compared to native elderly.
The migrant elderly network is more tightly knit, indicating differences in global strength and network structure.
Commonalities and differences in anxiety and depression networks may inform targeted mental health strategies for older adults.

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In the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, elderly individuals are confronted with an elevated vulnerability to psychological distress. However, disparities in the manifestation of anxiety and depression between migrant and native elderly populations have yet to be thoroughly examined. The purpose of this study was to identify the network characteristics of anxiety and depression among migrant and native elderly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Employing a cross-sectional design, we surveyed a total of 710 participants, encompassing both native and migrant elders. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Anxiety subscale (HADS-A) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were utilized to assess anxiety and depression symptoms, respectively. R packages were used to construct the network. Expected influence and bridge expected influence were utilized to identify central and bridge symptoms. Network comparison tests were applied to examine the differences between networks. The anxiety and depression levels of native elderly are higher than those of migrant elderly. Migrant and native elderly networks exhibited identical central symptoms ('hypochondria', 'restless') and bridge symptoms ('worry', 'sad mood'). The 'anhedonia' was only more central in the migrant elderly network. Global strength and network structure differed significantly, with the migrant elderly network being more tightly knit. There are commonalities and differences in anxiety and depression networks among immigrant and native elders during the COVID-19 pandemic. This finding guides healthcare and mental health professionals to adopt targeted strategies for anxiety and depression in different populations of older adults.

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The migrant-native difference in the relationship between anxiety and depression among the elderly in China: a comparative network analysis

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