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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.
Fear of falling and depressive symptoms in Chinese elderly living in nursing homes: fall efficacy and activity level as mediator or moderator?
- Authors:
- CHOU K.-L., YEUNG F. K. C., WONG E. C. H.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 9(3), May 2005, pp.255-261.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examines the relationship between fear of falling and depressive symptoms as well as the role of participation in physical activity and fall efficacy in the linkage between the fear of falling and depression. A sample of 100 residents living in nursing homes in Hong Kong were interviewed. Using multiple regression models, it was found that elderly persons who had greater fear of falling tended to report depressive symptoms more frequently after controlling socio-demographic and physical health status variables. In addition, activity involvement and fall efficacy acted as mediators and moderators in the link between the fear of falling and depression.
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).
Everyday competence and depressive symptoms: social support and sense of control as mediators or moderators?
- Author:
- CHOU K.-L.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 9(2), March 2005, pp.177-183.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
Depression is common among the elderly members of Hong Kong Chinese society. The objectives of the present study are to assess the relationship between everyday competence and depressive symptoms and to test whether sense of control and social support mediate and moderate the impact of deterioration in everyday competence on depressive symptoms. The respondents were 393 people aged 60 years and older from a cross-sectional study of a representative community sample of the elderly population in Hong Kong and they were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. In multiple regression analyses, we found that everyday competence was significantly and negatively related to depressive symptoms (ß?=?-0.26, p?<?0.01) after we had adjusted age, gender, marital status, years of education, self-rated health status, and number of chronic illnesses. Moreover, both sense of control and social support were mediators in the linkage between everyday competence and depression. However, neither sense of control nor social support moderated the effect of everyday competence on depression. Findings suggest that both sense of control and social support play important roles in the relationship between everyday competence and depression.
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.
Sources of income and depression in elderly Hong Kong Chinese: mediating and moderating effects of social support and financial strain
- Authors:
- CHOU K.-L., CHI N., CHOW N.W.S.
- Journal article citation:
- Aging and Mental Health, 8(3), May 2004, pp.212-221.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
This study examines the relationship between major source of income (i.e., adult children, financial independence and government welfare) and depression among elderly Hong Kong people. We also assessed the mediating and moderating effects of family social support and financial strain in the linkage between source of income and depression. The data came from a cross-sectional survey of a representative community sample of 1106 elderly respondents in Hong Kong. Using multiple regression models, data revealed that there was a differential impact of major sources of income on depression. Welfare participation and financial independence contributed to a higher level of depressive symptoms whereas people whose source of income was their adult children were more likely to report a lower level of depression than the others who were not. We also found that family social support was either a complete mediator or partial mediator in the relationship between different major sources of income and depression but it was not a significant moderator in the linkage between different major sources of income and depression. In contrast, financial strain was a significant moderator in the link between different major sources of income and depression. Specific and effective interventions must be developed for those who are financially independent or on welfare.