Bidirectional intergenerational support and mental health in older adults based on latent profile analysis: a moderated mediation model.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bidirectional intergenerational support is linked to late-life mental health, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Guided by intergenerational solidarity and social support theories, we examined how distinct support profiles relate to mental health among Chinese older adults, testing self-rated health (SRH) as a mediator and social participation as a moderator.

Methods

We analyzed 7,843 adults aged ≥60 from the 2020 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey. Latent profile analysis (LPA) identified bidirectional support profiles; group differences in mental health were assessed using the Bolck-Croon-Hagenaars (BCH) approach, followed by mediation and moderated-mediation models with bootstrap inference (5,000 resamples).

Results

Four profiles emerged-H

SUBMITTER: Li A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12727621 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature