Why the study?
The study was conducted to examine risk factors for depressive symptoms among older adults in rural China.
Chronic disease, pain, and functional impairment are significant risk factors for depressive symptoms in rural Chinese older adults.
Supports screening isolated rural elders for depression; leaves open longitudinal confirmation of modifiable risks.
The purpose of the current study was to examine risk factors for depressive symptoms among older adults in rural China. Data were derived from the National Health Services Survey in China. A total of 2,586 rural adults age ≥60 were included in the study. Sociodemographic factors, health risk factors, and behavioral factors were measured, along with self-rated depressive symptoms. Older age (>70 years), lower education level, and living without a partner were associated with depressive symptoms. After adjusting for socioeconomic status and social support, individuals who had at least one chronic disease, experienced pain, and were unable to take care of themselves or perform household chores were more likely to report depressive symptoms (all p < 0.001). Community health care and nursing services should focus on pain control, improvement of daily physical function, and social support for older adults in rural China. [Journal of Psychosocial Nursing and Mental Health Services, 58(2), 41-47.].
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Yan et al. (2019) studied this question.
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