Georgian Med News. 2025 Oct;(367):169-175.
ABSTRACT
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: This research aims to examine the association between labor participation and mental health of older adults, particularly depressive symptoms, and to investigate the extent to which this relationship varies across gender and socioeconomic backgrounds. Based on data from the China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), the research examined the mechanisms through which labor participation influenced the mental health of older adults and provided theoretical support and practical guidance for policymakers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This research utilized data from the 2023 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), involving 10,366 older adults aged 60 and above. Employing a cross-sectional design, the research assessed depressive symptoms using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). Labor participation was measured through the questionnaire item, “whether engaged in paid work.” Descriptive statistics, univariable analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis explored the relationship between labor participation and mental health of older adults. Gender-stratified analyses were conducted to examine potential heterogeneity, and further heterogeneity analysis based on job types was performed to examine employment quality.
RESULTS: Labor participation showed a significant association with depressive symptoms among older adults, with those engaged in labor exhibiting lower levels of depressive symptoms than their non-working counterparts. Gender analysis revealed that labor participation exerted a significantly greater association with depressive symptom among women than men. Heterogeneity analysis further revealed that a significant negative association with depressive symptoms was strongest only for work characterized by high autonomy and low physical demands. Additionally, factors such as educational attainment, health status, and marital status significantly influenced depressive symptoms. Labor participation interacted with these factors, jointly influencing the mental health of older adults.
CONCLUSION: A significant association was found between labor participation and reduced depressive symptoms, particularly among women. Furthermore, this relationship varied by job type, showing the strongest association in high-autonomy, low-physical-demand positions. Policy interventions should not only encourage labor participation-particularly among women-but also prioritize job quality by creating positions with greater autonomy and manageable physical demands. Enhancing these job characteristics can strengthen social participation and self-efficacy, thereby maximizing the mental health benefits of working in later life.
PMID:41370700
