Impact of social participation on rural male population's mental health: evidence from the 2020 China family panel studies

Social participation in recent years has been an important mean of enhancing mental health. It is thus increasingly been focused in countries around the world. However, existing research lacks on the analysis of their relationship. Pertaining to the increasing men’s mental health issues, this study is aimed to explore the impact of social participation on mental health of China’s rural male population. This can practically improve the health of rural population and promote the Healthy China Strategy and the Rural Revitalization Strategy. Data from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies were used to analyze the impact of social participation on rural male population’s mental health via the ordinary least squares model. Social participation reduced the depression levels of rural male population. Social participation exhibited lower depression levels for those with high compared to those with low. Both labor practice and virtual network participations improved the mental health of rural male population with the former having more impact. Social participation improves the mental health of rural male population. The government should thus create environment for the social participation of population, continuously improve these levels, expand diversified social participation channels, and adopt modern digital technology to improve health and promote implementation of the Healthy China strategy and high-quality development of rural medical and health services.

Social participation; Rural male population; Mental health

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