Does a reciprocal relationship exist between social engagement and depression in later life?

Objectives: We examine if reciprocal associations exist between formal and informal social engagement and depression in older adults. 

Method: We apply dynamic panel-data structural equation models accompanied with the maximum likelihood estimator (ML-SEM) to the seven waves of data of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA). 

Results: Formal social engagement in and through various voluntary groups exerts both cross-lagged and proximal effects in lessening depressive symptoms. In contrast, informal social engagement with familiar persons exhibits only proximal association with depression. Conversely, depression does not reciprocate a cross-lagged effect on either type of social engagement. 

Conclusion: The study confirms that formal social engagement in and through various voluntary groups produces a protective effect against depression for older adults across time, supporting the mental health advantage of formal engagement.