Inter-relationships of depression and anxiety symptoms among widowed and non-widowed older adults: findings from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey based on network analysis and propensity score matching.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental health issues among older adult widowed adults. However, the symptom-level relationships between these conditions remain unclear. Due to the high correlations and complex relationships among various symptoms, this study employs network analysis to explore differences in the network structures of depression and anxiety symptoms between widowed and non-widowed older adults.

Methods

Propensity score matching was used to identify widowed older adults with similar demographic characteristics. Data from 1,736 widowed and 1,736 matched controls were analyzed using the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (2017-2018). Depression and anxiety were measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale-10 (CESD-

SUBMITTER: Li Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11936798 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature