Social comparison in Chinese older adults

Depression is quite common among the elderly members of Hong Kong Chinese s ociety. This study examined the role of social comparison in the relationsh ip between depressive symptoms and four key life domains including: physica l health, financial situation, relationships with adult children, and socia l support from friends. The respondents were 411 people aged 60 years or ol der from a survey of a representative community sample of the elderly popul ation in Hong Kong. Using multiple regression models, the authors found tha t social comparison mediated the effect of support from friends on depressi ve symptoms and social comparison was the partial mediator in the linkage b etween financial strain and depressive symptoms. Moreover, social compariso n also moderated the effect of physical health and support from friends on depressive symptoms. Lastly, we found that self-efficacy and self-esteem we re moderators in the relationship between depressive symptoms and all four key life domains including physical health, financial situation, relationsh ip with adult children, and social support from friends, whereas sense of c ontrol over physical health and sense of control over support from friends moderated the effect of social comparison on physical health and support fr om friends respectively, on depressive symptoms.