Progress of Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Elderly Parents After Losing Their Child: A Longitudinal Study Based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Abstract

The impact of child loss on the progression of depressive symptoms has not been extensively studied within the context of Chinese culture. Utilizing the five-phase follow-up data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this study evaluated the depressive symptoms of 6303 eligible participants. Baseline analysis revealed a significant correlation between child mortality and the depressive status of the participants (p < .001). Longitudinal analysis indicated that the death of a child, as a major negative life event, continued to affect the mental health of participants over time (p = .006). This study also employed a restricted cubic spline function to account for the specificity of parents’ age at the time of the child’s death and their risk of depression. The findings suggest the necessity of enhancing psychological support for older parents who have experienced the loss of a child.