Objective: Depression has become an important global public health problem. Despite the government’s efforts, the outlook regarding the health issue of elderly depression in China is still not optimistic. This study explored the association between social activities and depressive symptoms among Chinese urban and rural elderly. Methods: Data were collected from the 2018 Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS). The study sample included 5101 Chinese adults aged ≥ 65 years. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between social activities and depressive symptoms. Results: The prevalence rate of depressive symptoms in rural elderly is 1.37 times higher than that in urban elderly. The proportion of elderly persons participating in a social activity less than once monthly, or never having participated in social activities is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. The results from the logistic regression model analysis show that among rural elderly, visiting others’ homes or interacting with friends at least once a month or once a week is positively associated with depressive symptoms. Playing cards or mahjong at least once a week or almost daily is negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Participating in organized social activities once a month is negatively associated with depressive symptoms. None of these five activities significantly correlate with depressive symptoms among urban older adults. Conclusion: This study explored the differences in depressive symptoms among elderly populations in urban and rural China, as well as the impact of social activity participation on depressive symptoms. This study underscores the necessity of targeted social interventions in rural areas to enhance social participation among the elderly and reduce depressive symptoms.

Asian values, the aging population, and financial assistance programs for the elderly form the backdrop for this manuscript. The rationale of this manuscript is to analyze the unexpected findings from the research project “The Evaluation of Project Performance Supported by Older Persons Fund,” which indicated a connection between filial piety, family dynamics, and how family finances were spent and managed. The objective is to study this phenomenon in more detail to elucidate changes in family structures that are traditionally held as the lynchpin of Asian society. The manuscript applied two separate methodologies: Part A is a mixed methods methodology that is required for the objectives of “The Evaluation of Project Performance Supported by Older Persons Fund.” Part B employed the qualitative approach of case studies analysis and coding by Glaser and Strauss (2017). A total of 22 case studies were analyzed using this method for connections between filial piety, family dynamics, and family finances. The outcome of the coding analysis of the case studies was then subjected to further analysis using the concepts of phenomenology (internalization, externalization, intersubjectivity) as per the works of Berger and Luckmann (1991). The results suggest changing patterns of filial piety, namely, new dimensions of filial piety, lateral and diagonal family dynamics, and negative filial piety. From the standpoint of phenomenology, new identity formations, as well as the transition from one identity to another, are experienced by the elderly; internalization of changes that surround them financially leads to externalization of identities that are still capable and economically viable; flexibility of roles played within the family are subject to negotiations and intersubjectivity. Demographic changes bring added challenges to the management of the elderly, their finances, and their roles within the traditional family structure of filial piety.

This scoping review mapped out the relevant literature, identified gaps and made suggestions on the subject of the health needs of family caregivers (FC) of elderly stroke survivors (ESS). The authors utilised the PRISMA‐ScR checklist to guide the scoping review. The databases PubMed, Elsevier and BioMed Central were searched for academic articles published in the English Language between the years 2010 and 2020 that met a pre‐set criteria of content on the health needs of FC of ESS. The process of selection of sources of evidence based on screening and eligibility of evidence reduced the initially identified 13,303 sources of evidence in the searched databases to five sources of evidence. The content of these five sources of evidence was mapped out on a charting table where data was summarised and synthesised first individually and then collectively by the authors. Repetitive and irrelevant data were removed collectively by the authors from the charting table. The gaps identified were a paucity of research on the subject of health needs of FC of ESS, lack of longitudinal and mixed‐methods research on the health needs of FC of ESS, sparse use of social sciences perspectives and theories, research that addresses specific physical and mental health concerns beyond general descriptions and gaps in information, social networks, interventions, health policy and systems. Future research directions were suggested and a limitation of this scoping review are addressed in the discussion.

The social construction of identity in a multi-cultural setting becomes more intricate within the context of marginalized sexual identities and family interactions, dynamics, and roles. The research focused on the construction and reconstruction of identities of self-identified gay men within their families utilizing phenomenology as the theoretical underpinning to describe and analyze lived experiences. Qualitative research was employed utilizing one-on-one semi- structured interview questions. A total of 33 respondents were interviewed and data were recorded and transcribed. Data was analyzed utilizing a content analysis matrix for thematic and experiential construction and reconstruction of identity within family relationships and dynamics. Mixed results were found in terms of family expectations, family structure, family dynamics, family roles, family expectations, and family objections based on the identity of the gay respondents. Flexibility in adjustment to the sexual identity of the respondents was sometimes obstructed by family obligations, but also reflected acceptance and family affection. Cultural expectations of maintaining the “face” of the family were also taken into consideration by respondents when constructing their identities. The family is important in the construction of sexual identity in terms of acceptance and integration into familial roles. As roles are played out and expectations are met, a certain flexibility is evident in how families interact with gay male family members. Dynamics become more nuanced and require more intersubjective clarification and creation. While not reflective of Malaysian society in its entirety, the data indicates that change is occurring in terms of acceptance and integration of gay men within ethnic familial contexts.

This scoping review mapped out the relevant literature, identified gaps and made suggestions on the influence of cisgender on the health literacy (HL) of the elderly people. This scoping review was guided by the PRISMA-ScR checklist. The databases Wiley Online Library™ and Elsevier™ were searched for academic articles published in the English language between February 2011 and February 2021 that met a pre-set criteria of content. The process of selection of sources of evidence based on screening and eligibility of evidence reduced the initially identified 153 sources of evidence in the searched databases to 14 sources of evidence. The content of these 14 sources of evidence was mapped out on a charting table where data was summarised and synthesised individually and collectively by the authors. Repetitive and irrelevant data were deleted. Identified gaps include the lack of extensive exploration of male and female genders alone as a determinant of HL, how gender may be utilised to encourage elderly men and women to apply HL, how different sociocultural and sociodemographic backgrounds of elderly men and women would require separate academic research, the scarcity of social sciences based research and qualitative research methodologies on the subject as well as the use of mixed-methodologies and longitudinal studies. Future research directions were suggested and limitations of this scoping review are addressed in the discussion.