The multiple mediating roles of depression and grandchild care in the relationship between social participation and cognitive function among middle-aged and elderly Chinese: an empirical study based on CHARLS 2020 data

Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 17

Опубликована: Март 27, 2025

Background With global and Chinese populations aging rapidly, maintaining cognitive function among middle-aged elderly individuals has become a critical health priority. Understanding the factors influencing is crucial for developing effective policies interventions. Objectives This study investigates impact of social participation on individuals, examining mediating effects depression grandchild care. Given potential variation in these across different demographic socioeconomic groups, this also explores subgroup differences to provide targeted policy recommendations. Methods Data from 2020 China Health Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were used analyze relationship between function. Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) stepwise regression models employed, with robustness checks conducted using 2SLS regression. Results The included 17,962 participants aged 45 above. Baseline results indicate that significantly enhances (β = 0.417, p 0.001) after adjusting confounding factors. Subgroup analysis revealed benefits more pronounced residing western region, those 60 above, high-income rural populations. Mediation showed played substantial role –0.109, 0.001), while care exhibited statistically significant but relatively small mediation effect 0.004, 0.001). Conclusion Social not only directly improves indirectly it by reducing increasing caregiving engagement individuals. However, significant, its size remains small, suggesting overall contribution should be interpreted caution. In contrast, demonstrates effect, highlighting mental aging. findings, prioritize interventions mitigate as primary pathway enhancing Expanding opportunities key strategy, particularly central eastern regions, under years old, lower income levels, urban residents, ensure equitable access benefits. Additionally, may serve meaningful form engagement, appear complex context-dependent. Future research explore long-term intensity emotional burden better inform intergenerational support programs.

Язык: Английский

Higher dietary vitamin D intake influences brain and mental function in elderly Americans: a cross-sectional analysis

Frontiers in Nutrition, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 12

Опубликована: Апрель 9, 2025

Vitamin D is known to have a potential impact on cognitive function and mental health. This study aims assess the association between dietary vitamin intake performance, as well depression, in an elderly U.S. population. Data from National Health Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 were analyzed. A total of 1,344 participants categorized into three tertiles based their (D2 + D3). Cognitive was measured using Consortium Establish Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) test, Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST), Animal Fluency Test, while depression assessed through Patient Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Adjustments made confounding variables, including age, sex, race, education, physical activity level, other factors. After adjustment confounders, individuals 3rd tertile (≥4.9 mcg/day) had significantly reduced odds low performance CERAD test (OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.57-0.98; p = 0.031) 0.63, 0.49-0.85; 0.013) compared 1st (≤2.4 mcg/day). Similarly, lower (PHQ-9 score > 4) after 0.68, 0.48-0.99; 0.046). Our findings suggest that associated with improved depressive symptoms individuals. However, further longitudinal studies are needed establish causality explore underlying mechanisms.

Язык: Английский