How social engagement shapes depressive symptoms in later life: uncovering gendered and asymmetric effects.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Social engagement is widely recognized as a protective factor for mental health in later life, yet most studies treat it as a static condition and overlook potential asymmetries in the effects of becoming socially engaged and disengaged. This study examines (1) whether the mental health effects of entering and exiting social engagement are asymmetric, (2) whether these effects differ by the type of engagement (informal vs formal), and (3) whether gender moderates these associations.

Research design and methods: Using 7 waves of data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging, we analyzed 6,762 older adults aged 65 and older. Asymmetric fixed effects models were employed to estimate within-person changes in depressive symptoms associated with entry into and exit from social engagement. Gender-stratified models and interaction terms were used to examine differential effects by gender.

Results: Transitions into and out of social engagement were significantly associated with changes in depressive symptoms, but no statistically significant asymmetries were found for either informal or formal engagement in the full sample. However, gender-stratified analyses revealed asymmetric effects for formal social engagement: women benefited more from entering engagement, whereas men were more negatively affected by exiting it. No gender differences or asymmetries were observed for informal social engagement.

Discussion and implications: These findings underscore the importance of distinguishing between types of social engagement and considering gender differences when designing interventions. Policies that support both prevention and re-engagement-particularly those that are gender-sensitive and address formal social roles-may be most effective in promoting mental health among older adults.