TITLE:
Developing a Systematic Review-Informed Model for Identifying Mental Health Problems among Older Adults in China
AUTHORS:
Shengyu Ding, Xue Meng, Huifeng Zhang, Zihuan Xiong, Weilong Xiao
KEYWORDS:
Older Adults, Mental Health, Systematic Review, Risk Accumulation, Functional Vulnerability, Positive Support
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.9,
September
2,
2026
ABSTRACT: Older adults are particularly vulnerable to anxiety and depressive symptoms, including their co-occurrence, which often coexist with chronic illness, multimorbidity, disability, sleep disturbance, loneliness, and social isolation. In this review, “mental health problems” refers to elevated anxiety and/or depressive symptoms identified using validated screening instruments rather than formal psychiatric diagnoses. Although previous research has identified numerous correlates across sociodemographic, physical, psychological, family, social, and environmental domains, the evidence remains fragmented and lacks an integrative framework. This study systematically reviewed empirical research on anxiety and depression among older adults in Chinese mainland. Using narrative synthesis and variable mapping, we identified core factors associated with later-life mental health problems and incorporated representative international evidence for theoretical and cross-cultural support. We propose a risk accumulation-functional vulnerability-positive support model, in which risk accumulation represents the underlying stress context, functional vulnerability reflects aging-specific conditions that may increase susceptibility, and positive support represents resources that may protect mental health and provide intervention entry points. The model offers a theoretical basis for symptom screening, risk stratification, community service allocation, and targeted intervention among older adults.