• May Li Lim, Donovan Lim, Xinyi Gwee, Ma Shwe Zin Nyunt, Rajeev Kumar, and Tze Pin Ng.
• a Department of Psychological Medicine , National University of Singapore , Singapore.
• Aging Ment Health. 2015 Jan 1; 19 (11): 1005-14.

ObjectiveThe association between exposure to stressful life events (SLEs) and late-life depression is well-documented. However, the role of resilience as a buffer against the adverse mental health effects of SLEs in late life has not been convincingly demonstrated. In this paper, the moderating effect of resilience in the relationship between SLEs and depressive symptomatology in older Chinese adults is investigated.MethodA population sample of 385 community-dwelling older Chinese adults aged ≥60 years responded to questionnaires on resilience (Connor-Davidson resilience scale), depressive symptomatology (Geriatric Depression Scale, GDS-15) and SLEs.ResultsIncreased numbers of SLEs (β = 0.343, p < .001) and lower levels of resilience (β = -0.137, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher levels of depressive symptomatology. There was a significant interaction of resilience and number of SLEs on depressive symptomatology (p = 0.003). The sense of personal competence and optimism was the principal underlying resilience dimension moderating the relationship for both the young-old (aged 60-69) and the old-old (aged 70 and above).ConclusionThe finding of significant interaction supported the role of resilience in moderating the adverse effect of SLEs in terms of depressive symptoms among older Chinese adults.

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