Association amongst social support inside or outside the family and depression symptoms: longitudinal study of urban–rural differences in China

PurposeThe purpose is to analyze the longitudinal association between social support inside and outside the family and depression and the differences between urban and rural areas.MethodsA total of 11,150 respondents were included from Harmonized China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (Harmonized CHARLS). The baseline data and the subsequent two surveys were used to describe the basic characteristics and social support in the urban and rural. The growth curve model was used to analyse the longitudinal association between social support inside and outside the family and depression.ResultsPeople participating in social activities were less likely to suffer from depression while those who had public transfer were more likely to suffer from depression. Respondents who had weekly contact with their children were less likely to suffer from depression. Respondents with larger families were also less likely to suffer from depression, but this effect was significant in rural. As time changes, the association between social activities and depression does not change significantly, only public transfer and family size show a gradually weakening impact on depression in rural areas. The association between the contact with children and depression scores weakens in rural areas but increases in urban areas.ConclusionsFuture dynamic intervention for depression can include holding various beneficial social activities, carrying forward the filial piety culture and improving the level of rural social welfare, protecting the excellent traditional culture, and providing public services for rural special families.