Research on the Relationship between Chinese Elderly Health Status, Social Security, and Depression

Abstract

(1) Background: To explore the relationship between health status, social security status, and the occurrence of depression in older adults and provide a basis for mental health care services for the elderly population; (2) Methods: This study used the 2018 China Health and Senior Care Tracking Survey (CHARLS) data to select 8383 older people aged over 60 years old as the research subjects. The two-category Logistic model was used to analyze the research problem; (3) Results: Older adults with depressive tendencies accounted for 34.1% of the total older adults. The incidence of depression among female older adults reached 41.51%. The risk of depression in the elderly population was 40.3% lower in males than in females (OR = 0.597, 95% CI: 0.539–0.662). Self-rated health status, physical disability, and receipt of pensions affected the incidence of depression in older adults (all p < 0.05); (4) Conclusions: Focus on and intervene in the mental status of elderly females and disabled elderly people. Provide mental and economic support and mental health care services to the elderly at the family and social levels. Promote the healthy development of the mental health of the elderly and promote active aging.