Mental health status and influencing factors among the elderly in Hubei Province
10.3969/j.issn.1006-2483.2026.01.019
- VernacularTitle:湖北省老年人心理健康现状及其影响因素分析
- Author:
Chenlu YANG
1
;
Shuzhen ZHU
1
;
Yang LI
1
;
Jin LIU
1
;
Shuhua ZHOU
Author Information
1. Institute for Chronic Diseases Prevention and Control of Hubei Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wuhan, Hubei 430079, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Elderly;
Mental health care;
Anxiety;
Depression;
Cognitive function
- From:
Journal of Public Health and Preventive Medicine
2026;37(1):93-97
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the prevalence, distribution characteristics, and influencing factors of mental health problems among the elderly, and to provide a scientific basis for policy-making. Methods A convenience sampling method was used to investigate depression, anxiety, and cognitive function among permanent residents aged 65 and older at 59 mental health care sites for the elderly in Hubei Province. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to analyze influencing factors. Results The screening rates for depression, anxiety, and cognitive function at critical/high-risk levels among the elderly in Hubei Province were 9.7%, 5.4%, and 12.2%, respectively. Urban elderly had lower risks of depression and cognitive function at critical/high-risk levels compared to rural elderly (OR for critical depression = 0.640, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk depression = 0.595, P = 0.012; OR for critical cognitive function = 0.448, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk cognitive function = 0.188, P < 0.001). Six key population groups had higher risks of depression, anxiety, and cognitive function at critical/high-risk levels than others (OR for critical depression = 1.463, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk depression = 1.912, P < 0.001; OR for critical anxiety = 1.462, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk anxiety = 2.882, P < 0.001; OR for critical cognitive function = 1.381, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk cognitive function = 2.345, P < 0.001). A higher number of chronic diseases was associated with increased risks of critical and high-risk depression (OR for critical = 1.316, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk = 3.677, P < 0.001) and cognitive impairment (OR for critical depression = 1.316, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk depression = 3.677, P < 0.001; OR for critical anxiety = 1.512, P < 0.001; OR for high-risk anxiety = 1.801, P < 0.001). Conclusion It is recommended to expand mental health care sites in rural areas, improve the layout of mutual-support elderly care facilities, and explore sustainable models for rural elderly care. Efforts should also focus on enhancing social participation among the elderly through community-based activities, and strengthening cognitive screening and emotional regulation interventions, with particular attention to the mental health needs of older, isolated, and chronically ill individuals.
