Longitudinal association between domestic elder abuse and depression trajectories among Chinese rural and urban older adults: roles of coping strategies and support networks

Guided by an applied ecological framework, this study utilized nationally representative data to evaluate the longitudinal association between elder abuse, depression trajectories, coping strategies and support networks among urban and rural older adults in China. A total of 4,080 participants (aged ≥ 60 years) were selected from the 2018, 2020, and 2023 waves of the China Longitudinal Ageing Social Survey. Mixed-effects linear regressions examined the association between elder abuse, coping strategies, and depression trajectories. Moderation analysis assessed the role of support networks in these relationships. Initially, rural older adults exhibited high levels of depressive symptoms following elder abuse, which subsequently declined and then stabilized over time. In contrast, urban victims experienced a worsening trajectory of depressive symptoms. Rural victims were more likely to adopt informal or formal help-seeking to buffer against depression symptoms, whereas urban victims tended to rely on tolerance, which did not significantly affect their depression trajectory. Notably, support networks demonstrated a buffering effect on depression symptoms only among urban victims. This study suggests that rural and urban victims adopt distinct coping strategies in response to mistreatment, and that support networks function differently across urban and rural contexts. These findings underscore the need for a person-centered intervention framework that is sensitive to contextual differences and capable of delivering tailored support across diverse social environments.