Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-20T00:26:22.782Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms in older adults: a community-based survey in rural China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2012

Yanhong Gong ,
Xiaopiao Wen ,
Chaoping Guan ,
Zhiqing Wang  and
Yuan Liang
Yanhong Gong
Affiliation:
Department of Social Medicine, Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Xiaopiao Wen
Affiliation:
Department of Social Medicine, Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Chaoping Guan
Affiliation:
Department of Social Medicine, Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
Zhiqing Wang
Affiliation:
WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Training in Suicide Prevention and Beijing Suicide Research and Prevention Center, Beijing Hui Long Guan Hospital, Beijing, China
Yuan Liang*
Affiliation:
Department of Social Medicine, Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Yuan Liang, PhD, Department of Social Medicine, Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Hangkong Road 13, Wuhan City 430030, Hubei Province, China. Phone: +86-27-83692719; Fax: +86-27-83692333. Email: [email protected].
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Background: The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms, and provide new evidence and recommendations for prevention and intervention in the depressive symptoms of older adults.

Methods: The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted door-to-door, utilizing a sample of 1,317 individuals aged 60 years and above in rural China. The five family characteristic variables recorded were: living with spouse, living with descendant, support of family members, self-reported family economic status in the previous year, and family-related negative life events that occurred anytime in the past with a continuous psychological effect during the past 12 months. Gender, age, years of schooling, and self-rated physical health status were taken as potential confounders. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent effects on depressive symptoms.

Results: In addition to the potential confounders, only family-related negative life events, support of family members, and self-reported family economic status had significant effects on depressive symptoms in older adults. Experiencing a family-related negative life event was the most significant variable (OR = 11.70, 95% CI: 7.72–17.73), the second was support of family members (OR = 6.93, 95% CI: 3.26–14.70), while family economic status was less important than support of family members (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.08–5.25).

Conclusion: This study, from the perspective of family characteristics on depressive symptoms in older adults, showed a strong correlation between being exposed to harmful family environments and depressive symptoms among the elderly. Efforts to address family risk factors and strengthen family cohesiveness deserve a higher priority, given the importance of these factors, compared with other efforts such as promoting economic development.

Keywords

family characteristicsmental healththe aged
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Special Issue 8: Focus on late life depression , August 2012 , pp. 1226 - 1234
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Beck, A., Brown, G. and Steer, R. (1996). Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). San Antonio, TX: The Psychological Corporation.Google Scholar
Beekman, A., Deeg, D., Tilburg, T., Smit, J. and Hooijer, C. (1995). Major and minor depression in later life: a study of prevalence and risk factors. Affective Disorders, 36, 65–75.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Bruce, M., Kim, K., Leaf, P. and Jacobs, S. (1990). Depressive episodes and dysphoria resulting from conjugal bereavement in a prospective community sample. American Journal of Psychiatry, 147, 608–611.Google Scholar
Chen, W. (2006). China's future population trends: 2005–2050. Journal of China Population Research, 4, 93–95 [in Chinese].Google Scholar
Cheung, L., Cho, E., Lum, D., Tang, T. and Yau, H. (1980). The Chinese elderly and family structure implications for health care. Public Health Reports, 95, 491–495.Google ScholarPubMed
Chow, N. (2006). The practice of filial piety and its impact on long-term care policies for elderly people in Asian Chinese communities. Asian Journals of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 1, 31–35.Google Scholar
Dong, X. and Simon, M. (2008). A descriptive study of sex differences in psychosocial factors and elder mistreatment in a Chinese community population. International Journal of Gerontology, 2, 206–214.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Goering, P., Lancee, W. and Freeman, S. (1992). Marital support and recovery from depression. British Journal of Psychiatry, 160, 76–82.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Goh, I., Low, L. F. and Brodaty, H. (2010). Levels and rates of depression among Chinese people living in Chinese ethno-specific and mainstream residential care in Sydney. International Psychogeriatrics, 22, 237–245.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
He, H. (2010). The influence of changes in the family structure on the patterns of rural elderly endowment. Social Work, 6, 62–64 [in Chinese].Google Scholar
Ji, J., Sun, R., Geng, Q. and Kang, M. (2006). Effect of family function on depression of the elderly. China Journal of Health Psychology, 14, 432–433 [in Chinese].Google Scholar
Kamen, C., Cosgrove, V., McKellar, J., Cronkite, R. and Moos, R. (2011). Family support and depressive symptoms: a 23-year follow-up. Journal of Clinical Psychology, 67, 215–223.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kendler, K., Gardner, C. and Prescott, C. (2002). Toward a comprehensive developmental model for major depression in women. American Journal of Psychiatry, 159, 1133–1145.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lee, Y. J. and Xiao, Z. (1998). Children's support for elderly parents in urban and rural China: results from a national survey. Journal of Cross-Cultural Gerontology, 13, 39–62.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Leskelä, U., Melartin, T., Rytsälä, H., Sokero, P., Lestelä-Mielonen, P. and Isometsä, E. (2008). The influence of major depressive disorder on objective and subjective social support. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 196, 876–883.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Miller, I., Keitner, G., Whisman, M., Ryan, C., Epstein, N. and Bishop, D. (1992). Depressed patients with dysfunctional families: description and course of illness. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, 101, 637–646.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mitchell, R. and Moos, R. (1984). Deficiencies in social support among depressed patients: antecedents or consequences of stress? Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 25, 438–452.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Muramatsu, N., Yin, H. and Hedeker, D. (2010). Functional declines, social support, and mental health in the elderly: does living in a state supportive of home and community-based services make a difference? Social Science & Medicine, 70, 1050–1058.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Nancy, R. (2007). Depression and older adults. AORN, 85, 397–401.Google Scholar
Niu, Y. and Li, J. (2010). Review study of depression screening tools and epidemiological studies of older adults in China. Chinese Journal of Gerontology, 30, 3014–3016.Google Scholar
Osborn, D. et al. (2003). Factors associated with depression in a representative sample of 14 217 people aged 75 and over in the United Kingdom: results from the MRC trial of assessment and management of older people in the community. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 18, 623–630.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Phillips, M., Yang, G., Zhang, Y., Wang, L., Ji, H. and Zhou, M. (2002). Risk factors for suicide in China: a national case-control psychological autopsy study. Lancet, 360, 1728–1736.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Prince, M., Harwood, R., Blizard, R., Thomas, A. and Mann, A. (1997). Impairment, disability and handicap as risk factors for depression in old age. Psychological Medicine, 27, 311–321.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ryan, A. and Willits, F. (2007). Family ties, physical health, and psychological well-being. Journal of Aging and Health, 19, 907–920.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Schum, J., Lyness, J. and King, D. (2005). Bereavement in late life: risk factors for complicated bereavement. Geriatrics, 60, 18–20.Google ScholarPubMed
UNPD (2004). China's Population by Age and Sex, 1950–2050. New York: United Nations Population Division.Google Scholar
Vink, D., Aartsen, M. and Schoevers, R. (2008). Risk factors for anxiety and depression in the elderly: a review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 106, 29–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Werner, P., Stein-Shvachman, I. and Heinik, J. (2009). Perceptions of self-stigma and its correlates among older adults with depression: a preliminary study. International Psychogeriatrics, 21, 1180–1189.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Weyerer, S. et al. (2008). Prevalence and risk factors for depression in non-demented primary care attenders aged 75 years and older. Journal of Affective Disorders, 111, 153–163.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wu, X., Li, J. and Wang, L. (2010). Analysis of the Chinese elderly depressive symptoms. Population Journal, 5, 43–47 [in Chinese].Google Scholar
Xing, F., Wu, Q., Zhu, W., Sun, D., Tian, X. and Li, J. (2006). An investigation of influencing factors for depressive disorder in 1000 retired cadres and people. Chinese Journal of Clinical Rehabilitation, 10, 169–171 [in Chinese].Google Scholar
Xiong, Y. (1990). Main features of family structure of Chinese elderly population. South China Population, 1, 4 [in Chinese].Google Scholar
Xu, J. (1991). The clinical application and evaluation of the Beck Depression Inventory. Psychological Science, 4, 32–34.Google Scholar
Ying, Y. and Zhang, X. (1995). Mental health in rural and urban Chinese families: the role of intergenerational personality discrepancy and family solidarity. Journal of Comparative Family Studies, 26, 233–246.Google Scholar
Zhang, Y. and Goza, F. (2006). Who will care for the elderly in China? A review of the problems caused by China's one-child policy and their potential solutions. Journal of Aging Studies, 20, 151–164.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Zhao, M. and Zhang, J. (2001). The study of the incidence and relation factors of geriatric depression. Chinese Primary Health Care (in Chinese), 15, 54–55.Google Scholar