Heterogeneity of mobility limitation trajectories among Chinese older couples: Impact of baseline biopsychosocial characteristics and subsequent well-being

This study investigates the trajectories of mobility limitation among Chinese older couples, the subgroups of these trajectories, and the differences in baseline biopsychosocial characteristics and later well-being outcomes among different mobility limitation trajectory groups. The individual trajectories of mobility limitation in husbands and wives were categorized into four groups. The presence of depressive symptoms in husbands was related to the development of limitations in mobility levels in wives, and vice versa (p < .001). After controlling for lagged measures in 2015, the trajectory group exhibiting non-normative mobility limitations (except the constantly low mobility limitation group) subsequently showed more severe depressive symptoms, worse self-rated memory, life satisfaction, and health status in both husbands and wives. Additionally, there exist some cross-correlations between the categories of mobility limitation trajectories of husbands and wives and the subsequent well-being of their spouses.