Financial strain and depressive symptoms in Hong Kong elderly Chinese: themoderating or mediating effect of sense of control

For many Hong Kong Chinese elderly, depression and financial strain are qui te a common occurrence. This study examines the mediating and moderating ef fect of sense of control in the relationship between financial strain and d epressive symptoms. The data came from a survey of a representative communi ty sample of 411 elderly respondents in Hong Kong. Using multiple regressio n models, the authors found that generalized sense of control mediated and moderated the linkage between financial strain and depressive symptoms even after controlling socio-demographic variables but sense of control over fi nances did not. Findings suggest that generalized sense of control should b e enhanced to protect older people under chronic financial strain from depr ession.