Older people in China are struggling more with depression, health problems, and daily tasks like cooking or dressing — and things have gotten worse over the past five years.

Feeling more down or depressed over time might make it harder for older adults in China to do everyday tasks like dressing or bathing — and having more trouble with those tasks might also make depression worse. It's a two-way link that sticks even when you account for age, health problems, and income.

Feeling more down or depressed over time might make it harder for older adults in China to handle daily tasks like shopping or managing money — and struggling with those tasks might also make their mood worse, in a cycle that builds over the years.

Older adults in both rural and urban China who have trouble with everyday tasks like dressing or managing bills are more likely to have depression, and this link is stronger in cities.

In older Chinese adults, feeling depressed is linked to having more trouble with daily tasks — like cooking or dressing — and this link stays strong even when you account for things like age, health conditions, or lifestyle habits.

Older people living in rural parts of China are more likely to feel depressed than those in cities, even when you account for things like health problems or where they live in the country.