Exploring the Reciprocal Relationship between Depressive Symptoms and Cognitive Function among Chinese Older Adults

(1) Objectives: This study aims to investigate the bidirectional relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive function among older adults in China, addressing a research gap in the context of developing nations. (2) Methods: A total of 3813 adults aged 60 and older participating in 2013, 2015, and 2018 waves of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) were included. A fixed-effects model and cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) was utilized. (3) Results: First, the results indicated that a significant negative correlation existed between depressive symptoms and cognitive function in older adults during the study period (beta = -0.084, p < 0.001). Second, after controlling for unobserved confounding factors, the deterioration and improvement of depressive symptoms still significantly affected cognitive function (beta = -0.055, p < 0.001). Third, using the cross-lagged panel model, we observed a reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms (Dep) and cognitive function (Cog) among Chinese older adults (Dep2013 -> Cog2015, beta = -0.025, p < 0.01; Dep2015 -> Cog2018, beta = -0.028, p < 0.001; Cog2013 -> Dep2015, beta = -0.079, p < 0.01; Cog2015 -> Dep2018, beta = -0.085, p < 0.01). (4) Discussion: The reciprocal relationship between depressive symptoms and cognitive functioning in older adults emphasizes the need for integrated public health policies and clinical interventions, to develop comprehensive intervention strategies that simultaneously address depressive symptoms and cognitive decline.