Human study · Aging · 11 Nov 2026
In 30,358 older adults in India, downward social mobility lined up with more depressive symptoms
Source: GeroScience
What the research found
A cross-sectional analysis of the Longitudinal Ageing Study in India, Wave 1, was published on 11 November 2026. The complete-case sample was 30,358 older adults aged 60 or older. Childhood socioeconomic position was recalled. Adulthood position used per capita consumption. Mobility was consistently high, upward, downward, or consistently low. Depressive symptoms meant a score of 4 or more on the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, not a clinical diagnosis. Weighted prevalence was 30.1 percent. Against consistently high position, upward mobility had an adjusted odds ratio of 1.18 (95 percent CI 1.02 to 1.35), downward mobility 1.37 (95 percent CI 1.18 to 1.59), and consistently low position 1.31 (95 percent CI 1.11 to 1.55). High position at both life stages, versus none, had an adjusted odds ratio of 0.76 (95 percent CI 0.64 to 0.90). In a 30-imputation check of 31,915 people, the upward estimate was 1.17 (95 percent CI 0.999 to 1.360) and was no longer clear, while downward and consistently low position remained. One time point. The abstract does not give sex. DOI 10.1007/s11357-026-02652-7. Not medical advice.
Evidence level: Human study. A study in people, but an association isn't proof of cause.
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