Linking socioeconomic status to depressive symptoms in aging populations

Late-life depressive symptoms remain a pressing global health issue, particularly among older adults with persistent socioeconomic disadvantages. While previous studies have linked socioeconomic status (SES) to mental health, few have integrated dynamic SES trajectories, psychosocial mechanisms and cultural contexts in a unified life course framework. Drawing on harmonized longitudinal data from 6 global aging cohorts (Health and Retirement Study (HRS), China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) and Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA); n = 64,479), this study examined how childhood SES, adult SES and SES mobility predicted incident depressive symptoms. A moderated chain mediation model tested the indirect effects of frailty and social activity, and the buffering role of family support. Cross-lagged panel network analysis was used to explore symptom-level directional associations. The results showed that higher childhood and adult SES, and stable high and upward SES trajectories, were consistently associated with lower risk of late-life depressive symptoms. Frailty and reduced social activity partially mediated these associations, while family support moderated the frailty–depressive symptoms pathway. Network analysis revealed temporal, symptom-level effects of adult SES on depressive symptoms, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger SES protection among men, with stable middle SES benefiting women more. Socioeconomic advantage across the lifespan protected against late-life depressive symptoms via social pathways, with culturally embedded family support acting as a key buffer. These findings highlight the importance of integrated, equity-focused and culturally sensitive strategies to sustain mental health in aging populations.