[Study on the prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms among 'empty-nest' and 'non-empty-nest' elderly in four provinces and cities in China].

Aug 14, 2012Zhonghua liu xing bing xue za zhi = Zhonghua liuxingbingxue zazhi

Depressive symptoms and their risk factors in elderly people living alone versus with family in four regions of China

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Abstract

The prevalence of depressive symptoms among 'empty-nest' elderly is 8.18%, significantly higher than that of 'non-empty-nest' elderly.

'Empty-nest' elderly are more likely to be male, married, have a higher income, live in urban areas, and possess a high education background compared to 'non-empty-nest' elderly.
Despite a higher proportion of 'empty-nest' elderly reporting good self-rated health and life, they also face more severe health problems and economic difficulties.
Depressive symptoms are negatively associated with factors such as being female, single, having poor self-rated health and life, experiencing multiple health issues, and community engagement.

AI simplified

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and determinants of depressive symptoms among 'empty-nest' and 'non-empty-nest' elderly in four cities/provinces.

METHODS: 4265 elderly aged 60 and over, were recruited with cluster sampling method in Shanghai, Heilongjiang, Guangdong and Shanxi province and interviewed, using the Geriatric Mental State Schedule and self-developed related questionnaire.

RESULTS: (1) The prevalence of depressive symptoms for 'empty-nest' elderly was (8.18%), significantly higher than that for 'non-empty-nest' elderly (P=0.019); (2) the 'empty-nest' elderly had a significantly higher proportion of the following factors: being male, married, with higher income (≥15,000 Yuan/year), living in city, with high education background, under employment etc. than the 'non-empty-nest' elderly (P<0.0001); (3) the 'empty-nest' elderly had significantly higher proportions on good self-rated health status and life (P=0.0001, P<0.0001) as well as heavier health problems and economic difficulties (P=0.001, P=0.002); (4) there were significantly negative associations between depressive symptoms and the following 10 factors: being female, single, having bad self-rated health and life status, having somatic disease≥3, with big health problems in the last two years and loss of dearest persons, community engagement and involvement of religious activities.

CONCLUSION: The 'empty-nest' elderly showed higher prevalence of having depressive symptoms than the 'non-empty-nest' elderly. The 'empty-nest' elderly had characteristics as being single, female, having adverse event etc. and should be under greater attention for care.

[Study on the prevalence and risk factors of depressive symptoms among 'empty-nest' and 'non-empty-nest' elderly in four provinces and cities in China].

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