Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysis

Abstract Objective The aging population represents a formidable global challenge, with China experiencing an accelerated demographic shift. While previous research has established a directional link between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, the moderating effect of soci...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Yalian Huang, Aibao Zhou, Ping Tang, Xufeng Ma
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-01-01
Series:BMC Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21201-5
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832594320310403072
author Yalian Huang
Aibao Zhou
Ping Tang
Xufeng Ma
author_facet Yalian Huang
Aibao Zhou
Ping Tang
Xufeng Ma
author_sort Yalian Huang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective The aging population represents a formidable global challenge, with China experiencing an accelerated demographic shift. While previous research has established a directional link between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, the moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on these associations remains underexplored. This study sought to address this gap by employing moderated network analysis, in contrast to the total score approaches commonly used in prior literature. Methods A cross-sectional design was implemented, involving 1,032 Chinese individuals aged 60 and above, who completed the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire, Active Aging Scale, Social Participation Questionnaire, and Socioeconomic Status Index Scale. The moderated network method was applied to explore the bidirectional relationships between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, while examining the moderating role of SES. Results The analysis identified the strongest bidirectional relationships between attitudes toward mental illness and the development of spiritual wisdom. Seven interaction terms emerged involving mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, moderated by SES. Notably, the most significant interaction terms were found between attitudes toward mental illness and engagement in active learning. Conclusions These results contribute novel insights into the bidirectional relationships among mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, as well as the role of SES in moderating these relationships. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy interventions to address socioeconomic inequalities in later life, thereby fostering active aging.
format Article
id doaj-art-1825481a6ba04382bc1e1d4619d14e6b
institution Kabale University
issn 1471-2458
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher BMC
record_format Article
series BMC Public Health
spelling doaj-art-1825481a6ba04382bc1e1d4619d14e6b2025-01-19T12:41:39ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-01-0125111910.1186/s12889-024-21201-5Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysisYalian Huang0Aibao Zhou1Ping Tang2Xufeng Ma3School of Psychology, Northwest Normal UniversitySchool of Psychology, Northwest Normal UniversitySchool of Psychology, Chengdu Medical CollegeSchool of Psychology, Northwest Normal UniversityAbstract Objective The aging population represents a formidable global challenge, with China experiencing an accelerated demographic shift. While previous research has established a directional link between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, the moderating effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on these associations remains underexplored. This study sought to address this gap by employing moderated network analysis, in contrast to the total score approaches commonly used in prior literature. Methods A cross-sectional design was implemented, involving 1,032 Chinese individuals aged 60 and above, who completed the Mental Health Literacy Questionnaire, Active Aging Scale, Social Participation Questionnaire, and Socioeconomic Status Index Scale. The moderated network method was applied to explore the bidirectional relationships between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, while examining the moderating role of SES. Results The analysis identified the strongest bidirectional relationships between attitudes toward mental illness and the development of spiritual wisdom. Seven interaction terms emerged involving mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, moderated by SES. Notably, the most significant interaction terms were found between attitudes toward mental illness and engagement in active learning. Conclusions These results contribute novel insights into the bidirectional relationships among mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging, as well as the role of SES in moderating these relationships. The findings highlight the need for targeted policy interventions to address socioeconomic inequalities in later life, thereby fostering active aging.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21201-5Mental health literacyActive agingSocial participationSocioeconomic statusModerated network analysis
spellingShingle Yalian Huang
Aibao Zhou
Ping Tang
Xufeng Ma
Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysis
BMC Public Health
Mental health literacy
Active aging
Social participation
Socioeconomic status
Moderated network analysis
title Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysis
title_full Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysis
title_fullStr Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysis
title_full_unstemmed Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysis
title_short Socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy, social participation, and active aging among Chinese older adults: evidence from a moderated network analysis
title_sort socioeconomic status moderate the relationship between mental health literacy social participation and active aging among chinese older adults evidence from a moderated network analysis
topic Mental health literacy
Active aging
Social participation
Socioeconomic status
Moderated network analysis
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-21201-5
work_keys_str_mv AT yalianhuang socioeconomicstatusmoderatetherelationshipbetweenmentalhealthliteracysocialparticipationandactiveagingamongchineseolderadultsevidencefromamoderatednetworkanalysis
AT aibaozhou socioeconomicstatusmoderatetherelationshipbetweenmentalhealthliteracysocialparticipationandactiveagingamongchineseolderadultsevidencefromamoderatednetworkanalysis
AT pingtang socioeconomicstatusmoderatetherelationshipbetweenmentalhealthliteracysocialparticipationandactiveagingamongchineseolderadultsevidencefromamoderatednetworkanalysis
AT xufengma socioeconomicstatusmoderatetherelationshipbetweenmentalhealthliteracysocialparticipationandactiveagingamongchineseolderadultsevidencefromamoderatednetworkanalysis