Rural Community Organizations and Mental Health Among Older Adults: Evidence of Dual Economic-Social Pathways in Rural China

Background/Objectives: Mental health issues pose a growing public health burden in aging societies, a challenge particularly accentuated in rural China. This study investigated whether the establishment of rural community organizations—specifically volunteer groups, agricultural cooperatives, cultural and sports clubs, senior dance troupes, and senior associations—influences depressive symptoms and life satisfaction among rural older adults. Methods: Data were obtained from the Well-being of Elderly Survey in Anhui Province (WESAP) across three waves (2015, 2018, and 2021). The final sample comprised a balanced panel of 511 older adults, providing 1533 observations. A two-way fixed-effects model was employed to analyze the data. Results: Empirical results show that the establishment of agricultural cooperatives was associated with lower depressive symptoms. Cultural and sports clubs were associated with reduced depressive symptoms and positively correlated with life satisfaction. Mechanism analysis revealed associations consistent with a dual “economic–social” pathway: establishing agricultural cooperatives was associated with greater economic resilience and stronger social bonds. The establishment of cultural and sports clubs correlated with higher mental well-being, accompanied by increased time spent in social interaction. Notably, volunteer groups and senior associations showed no significant association with mental health outcomes. Conclusions: Rural community organizations are critical drivers of mental health equity. Policymakers should prioritize support for organizations that are deeply embedded in rural daily life and integrate economic functions with social interaction to maximize mental health benefits for older adults.