Gender differences in the association between childhood socioeconomic status and later-life depression among middle-aged and older adults in China: A chain mediation model of education level and present subjective social status

Background

The mechanisms connecting childhood socioeconomic status (SES) to later-life depression remain underexplored. This study aims to examine the mediating roles of education level and subjective social status (SSS) between childhood SES and later-life depression among middle-aged and older adults in China, with a focus on potential gender differences.

Methods

5485 individuals aged 45 years and older from the 2022 China Family Panel Study were selected for analysis. Depression was assessed via the short form of the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Childhood SES was derived through principal component analysis. The bootstrap program was used to test the chained mediation effects.

Results

The average depression score among the participants was 6.00 ± 4.365. Childhood SES, education level, and subjective social status were negatively associated with depression (P < 0.05). The chain mediation effect was significant for all participants, with education level exhibiting a 2.4 times stronger mediating effect in women than in men. Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between participants' education level and their present SSS (P < 0.05), which contributed to a positive chain-mediated effect that links childhood SES to depression (Effect = 0.011, 95%CI = 0.006 to 0.016).

Limitations

Retrospective self-reported data and a cross-sectional design.

Conclusions

Poorer childhood SES was associated with an increased risk of later-life depression in middle-aged and older adults, and this relationship can be partially explained by education level and subjective social status. Attention should be given to those with poor childhood SES to improve their subjective perception of social status along with educational attainment.