Childhood socioeconomic status and depressive symptoms in mid- and late life: Parenting styles as mediators

Abstract Objectives The life course perspective on mental health suggests the link between childhood socioeconomic status (SES) and depression in later life, yet current pathway models can’t fully explain the link. The present study explored the relationship between childhood SES and depressive symptoms in mid- and late life and the mediation role of parenting styles among the Chinese population. Methods Based on data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) in 2011-2020, a prospective cohort study including 7,632 participants was performed. The outcome was depressive symptoms. Parenting styles included parental responsiveness and parental demandingness. Cox regression models and the multiple mediation analysis approach were applied. Results Lower childhood SES was associated with a higher hazard of depressive symptoms in mid‑ and late life compared to higher SES (HR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.06~1.24); higher parental responsiveness was associated with a lower hazard of depressive symptoms (HR: 0.92; 95% CI: 0.88~0.96), while higher parental demandingness was associated with a higher hazard (HR: 1.08; 95% CI: 1.04~1.12). Gender- and residence-specific associations between parental responsiveness and depressive symptoms were observed. Parenting styles explained 8.1% of the total effects of childhood SES on mid‑ and late-life depressive symptoms. Discussion Parenting styles may be an important mediator in the association between childhood SES and depression in mid- and late life. This study suggests that depression prevention strategies should be taken from a life course perspective and that more focus should be put on the promotion of parenting, especially for those with low SES.