Older adults are at an elevated risk of experiencing long COVID, with post-COVID-19 depressive symptoms being prevalent. However, the protective factors against this remain understudied. This study examined (a) the role of resilience in the association between COVID-19 infection and depressive symptoms in aging adults; (b) the moderating role of family functioning the relationships between COVID-19 and resilience and between resilience and depressive symptoms; and (c) potential gender differences in the moderation. Data were drawn from the first wave of the Panel Study on Active Ageing and Society, a representative survey of 5,007 Hong Kong adults aged 50 or above. Mediation and moderated mediation analyses were conducted. Approximately 35% of aging adults had tested positive for COVID-19. Resilience significantly mediated the association between COVID-19 infection and post-COVID-19 depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). Family functioning was a significant moderator: the COVID-19-resilience association was stronger, and the resilience-depressive symptoms association was weaker among participants with higher family functioning. The moderating role of family functioning was more salient in women than in men. Resilience can protect aging adults from post-COVID-19 depressive symptoms. Interventions for enhancing family functioning may promote the formation of resilience, especially among older women.

Authors:
Xue Bai, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Xinxin Cai, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Jiajia Zhou, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong
Wei Yang, King's College London, United Kingdom

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Xue Bai is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in Hong Kong

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