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This cross-sectional study aims to consider the potential classification of depression and anxiety symptoms among older women, and identify the influencing factors of this classification. This study examines Chinese women aged 65 years and older. Latent class analysis was used to explore the mental health subgroups of older women, and multivariate logistic regression was employed to examine the influencing factors based on the health ecological model among these subgroups. The results helped classify this population under three subgroups: the coexistence of depression and anxiety group, dominated depression group, and the low symptoms group. Moreover, class differences in terms of age, residence, education, income, assessment of current life and health status, sleep duration, and health behaviors, such as alcohol use and exercise were noted. These findings explain the heterogeneity among older women, and help illuminate their unique aspects of mental health. Accordingly, they are significant for scholars and policymakers to understand depression and anxiety among older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the aging population, depressive symptoms and impaired Activities of Daily Living have increased medical costs and mortality, generating severe public health issues. This study reconsiders the potential classification of depressive symptoms and ADL impairment in older adults and identifies various factors that may affect classifications. Methods: This study focused on 6270 Chinese adults aged 65 years or older. We used latent profile analysis to explore depressive symptoms and ADL impairment (basic ADLs and instrumental ADLs) in various subgroups of older adults. We used Chi-square analysis and multivariate logistic regression to examine the determinants of depressive symptoms and ADL impairment among subgroups. Results: The study's results classified older adults into three subgroups: those with high level depressive symptoms and BADLs and IADLs impairment, those with moderate level depressive symptoms and IADLs impairment, and those with no to low level depressive symptoms and without BADLs and IADLs impairment. Illiterate, having fallen in the past year, as well as having hearing difficulties all predicted high level depressive symptoms and severe BADLs and IADLs impairment. In contrast, regular exercise, contact with friends, playing cards/mahjong, participating in organized social activities, and visiting siblings predicted moderate level depressive symptoms and IADLs impairment. Conclusion: This paper discusses what is known about the various subgroups as well as the treatment of depressive symptoms and ADL impairment in older populations. It also gives policy and practice recommendations for the future that may help rehabilitate and maintain the mental health and ADLs independence of older adults. Impact and Implications: Findings highlight how depression symptoms in older adults are associated with ADL impairment level and provide a reliable basis for future interventions according to the classification. The policy recommendations provided by this study assist in addressing significant challenges in terms of mental illness and ADL impairments in the older population to support the goals of the government's Healthy China 2030 national program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]