Structural embeddedness of social adversity within internalising psychopathology in older adults: A transdiagnostic symptom network analysis.

BACKGROUND

Social adversity is a determinant of mental health in later life, yet the network connectivity patterns through which it becomes embedded within internalising psychopathology remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to examine the transdiagnostic symptom network linking social adversity, psychological resources, and internalising psychopathology in older adults.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study among older adults in Hunan Province, China. Guided by the Stress Buffering Model, validated self-report measures assessed perceived ageism as social adversity, loneliness and social alienation as interpersonal factors, depression and anxiety as internalising psychopathology, and self-efficacy and life scheme as psychological resources. A Gaussian Graphical Model was estimated using the graphical least absolute shrinkage and selection operator. Expected Influence and Bridge Expected Influence identified central and bridge nodes. Network Comparison Tests examined structural invariance across sociodemographic and clinical subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 1225 older adults were included in the analyses. The network showed a highly structured transdiagnostic architecture with a mean predictability of 52.9%. "Apathy and Anxiety" and "Unhappiness" emerged as the most influential nodes. "Somatic Tension Domain" and "Cognitive-Emotional Domain" demonstrated the highest bridge expected influence, connecting social adversity and alienation with depressive symptoms. "Self-Efficacy" and "Life Scheme" showed consistent negative associations with key bridge and depressive nodes. Network structure and global strength remained invariant across major sociodemographic and clinical subgroups.

CONCLUSIONS

Late-life internalising psychopathology was characterised by interconnected network patterns involving social adversity, interpersonal disconnection, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Anxiety-related domains showed prominent bridge positions linking social adversity with depressive symptoms, while psychological resources were negatively associated with distress-related nodes.