\nKEY POINTS This study aimed to investigate whether social participation (SP) can decrease depressive symptom severity in disabled older adults. A total of 5,937 disabled participants (4877, 1970, 219, and 8 participants responding 1, 2, 3, 4 times, respectively), obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, were enrolled in our analysis. Based on pooled Ordinary Least Square regressions, SP was associated with decreased depressive symptom severity, and this association was significant in recreational activities and interacting with friends. For brain-disabled respondents, the association was not significant. SP is effective in decreasing depressive symptom severity in disabled older populations. Diversified activities and targeted interventions should be applied to specified older disabled populations to prevent depression. Correlations between depressives symptom severity and social participation (SP) among disable older adults were measured in a Chinese context. Pooled Ordinary Least Square regression were used to explore the impact of SP on depressives symptom severity in older populations with disabilities. Social participation, including recreational activities and interacting with friends, was associated with decreased depressives symptom severity in disabled middle-aged and older adults. The impact of SP on depressives symptom severity was not significant for older adults with brain disabilities. Correlations between depressives symptom severity and social participation (SP) among disable older adults were measured in a Chinese context.Pooled Ordinary Least Square regression were used to explore the impact of SP on depressives symptom severity in older populations with disabilities.Social participation, including recreational activities and interacting with friends, was associated with decreased depressives symptom severity in disabled middle-aged and older adults.The impact of SP on depressives symptom severity was not significant for older adults with brain disabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]