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Living alone and depression in Chinese older adults
- Authors:
- CHOU K.-L., HO A. H. Y., CHI I.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(6), November 2006, pp.583-591.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Western literature has repeatedly indicated a strong relationship between living alone and depression among the aged population, however, studies among the Chinese population are scarce. In this paper, we examine whether the association between living alone and depression is independent of health status, social support and financial strain among Chinese older adults, and subsequently assess whether such association persists after adjusting these variables. Cross-sectional data drawn from the Hong Kong Population Census consisting of 2,003 Chinese elderly people aged 60 or over were analyzed. Chi-square tests and logistic regression analyses revealed that living alone results in higher levels of depressive symptoms for older women but not for older men. This relationship remained significant even when socio-demographic variables, health indicators, social support, and financial strains were adjusted; yet, the impact of living alone with depression disappeared when all variables were controlled. In summary, this paper is the first to report that living alone is an independent risk factor contributing to depression among Chinese older women, as well as identifying certain significant factors including social support and health indicators that can affect and explain the link between living alone and depression. Preventive measures and related issues were discussed.
Relationship between adherence to tradition and depression in Chinese elders in China
- Authors:
- MJELDE-MOSSEY L. A., CHI I., LOU V.W.Q.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 10(1), January 2006, pp.19-26.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examined the relationship between adherence to tradition and depression in a sample of 1,502 Chinese elders living in the People's Republic of China. In Chinese traditional culture, an elder's purpose, meaning and self-worth are derived, in large, from their social roles within the family and community. As the traditional culture declines so do these familiar roles, supports, and ways of coping. This constitutes a major loss which can have a variety of psychosocial consequences, one of which could be depression. The elders in our study responded to a nine-item measure of traditional mutual aid and intergenerational exchange. Depression was measured by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale. Regression analysis found a significant and negative relationship between tradition and depression which suggests that adherence to tradition may have protective benefits. These findings have application with elders in China as well as with those who are immigrants to other societies.
Assessing Chinese older adults' suicidal ideation: Chinese version of the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale
- Authors:
- CHOU K.-L., JUN L. W., CHI I.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 9(2), March 2005, pp.167-171.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
The psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Geriatric Suicide Ideation Scale (GSIS-C) were investigated in a sample of 154 Hong Kong Chinese older adults. The internal consistency, test-retest reliability, face validity, convergent and divergent validities of the GSIS-C were assessed and all of them were well above acceptable levels. The GSIS-C demonstrated excellent internal consistency including the four subscales and the test-retest reliability of the GSIS-C was also good. In terms of convergent validity, the GSIS-C correlated significantly and positively with depression (assessed by CES-D), loneliness (assessed by Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale), and hopelessness (assessed by Beck ‘Hop'elessness Scale). The divergent validity of the GSIS-C was demonstrated by the negative but significant, association between the GSIS-C and two variables including self-rated health status and life satisfaction (assessed by Life Satisfaction Inventory—Version A).
Reciprocal relationship between social support and depressive symptoms among Chinese elderly
- Authors:
- CHOU K.-L., CHI I.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 7(3), May 2003, pp.224-231.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
For many Hong Kong Chinese elderly, Depression is a quite common occurrence. This study examines the reciprocal relationship between social support and depressive symptoms. The data came from a longitudinal study of a representative community sample of the elderly population in Hong Kong. Using multiple regression models, the authors found that elderly persons who reported depressive symptoms more frequently were likely to receive higher levels of social support from family members living with elders, but lower levels of social support from friends three years later, even after controlling for socio- demographic and physical health status variables. In addition, elderly people who received more social support from family members not living with elders reported fewer depressive symptoms three years later.
Social comparison in Chinese older adults
- Authors:
- CHOU K.-L, CHI I.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 5(3), August 2001, pp.242-252.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Depression is quite common among the elderly members of Hong Kong Chinese society. This study examines the role of social comparison in the relationship between depressive symptoms and four key life domains including: physical health, financial situation, relationships with adult children, and social support from friends. The respondents are people aged 60 years or older from a survey of a representative community sample of the elderly population in Hong Kong. Using multiple regression models, the authors find that social comparison mediated the effect of support from friends on depressive symptoms and social comparison was the partial mediator in the linkage between financial strain and depressive symptoms. Moreover, social comparison also moderated the effect of physical health and support from friends on depressive symptoms. Finds that self-efficacy and self-esteem were moderators in the relationship between depressive symptoms and all four key life domains including physical health, financial situation, relationship with adult children, and social support from friends, whereas sense of control over physical health and sense of control over support from friends moderated the effect of social comparison on physical health and support from friends, respectively, on depressive symptoms.