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
10.3760/cma.j.issn.0254-6450.2012.05.007
- VernacularTitle:中国4省市社区空巢和非空巢老人抑郁症状及相关影响因素研究
- Author:
Ying MA
1
;
Hua FU
;
Jia-Ji WANG
;
Li-Hua FAN
;
Jian-Zhong ZHENG
;
Ruo-Ling CHEN
;
Xia QIN
;
Zhi HU
Author Information
1. 安徽医科大学
- Keywords:
Empty-nest elderly;
Depressive symptom;
Community
- From:
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology
2012;33(5):478-482
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
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' eldcrly (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=0.00 1,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.
