Family Relationships, Social Connections, and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Adults in International Migrant Families

ABSTRACT

This study explored whether and how family relationships and social connections influence depressive symptoms of older migrants and older adults in transnational families using the data gathered from a cross-sectional survey in Los Angeles, California, United States, and Beijing, China. Regression results showed that the older migrants reported significantly higher levels of depression than the elders in transnational families. The findings highlight the importance of maintaining close family relations and having large friendship networks for older adults in international migrant families.

KEYWORDS:

• China
• family support
• international migration
• mental health
• transnational families