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Poverty, deprivation and life satisfaction among Hong Kong older persons
- Authors:
- CHEUNG Kelvin Chi-Kin, CHOU Kee-Lee
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 39(4), 2019, pp.703-721.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This investigation examines the association of four measures of poverty (income-based, expenditure-based and asset-based poverty, and material deprivation) with life satisfaction. Perceived life satisfaction was measured among 1,410 older Chinese persons aged 65 and over. Besides life satisfaction and measures of poverty, the study assessed socio-demographic variables, financial strain, health indicators, and social and community resources. Those who faced expenditure-based poverty, material deprivation and asset-based poverty reported a significantly lower level of perceived life satisfaction, while the association between expenditure-based poverty and life satisfaction was found to be the strongest. Other factors that had an impact on life satisfaction included gender, education and marital status; financial strain; social support; the number of close family members and friends; self-rated health; functional capacity; perceived memory; pain; sleep quality; neighbourhood collective efficacy; and engagement in cultural and entertainment activities. From the theoretical perspective, the findings have strong implications for the understanding of the factors that shape the perception of quality of life in old age. Our results also have important policy implications for the official measurement of poverty, monitoring of the poverty situation and the development of anti-poverty measures to help older persons living in poverty to improve the quality of their lives. (Edited publisher abstract)
Childlessness and psychological well-being in Chinese older adults
- Authors:
- CHOU Kee-Lee, CHI Iris
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 19(5), May 2004, pp.449-457.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Childless older adults will increase rapidly in the coming future due to delayed marriage, infertility, and high divorce rate. The authors examined whether childlessness is significantly related to loneliness and depression and whether the effect of childlessness persisted even when other factors including gender, marital status, age, education, self-rated health status and financial strain were controlled for. This article analyzes cross-sectional data collected from a representative community sample of 2003 Chinese elderly people aged 60 or above in Hong Kong. Respondents were interviewed in face-to-face format and data including socio-demographic variables, health indicators, loneliness and depression were obtained. Logistic regression analyses revealed that childlessness was significantly related to loneliness and depression even after marital status, gender, age, education, self-reported health status, and financial strain were controlled for. The impact of childlessness on psychological well-being among elderly Chinese is more robust than that found in older Americans. Moreover, consistent with the findings of previous studies, we found that the effect of childlessness on psychological well-being has to be investigated in the context of marital status. Therefore, aged care service practitioners must take this risk factor into consideration in their preventive intervention and treatment for psychological well-being.
Panic disorder in older adults: evidence from the national epidemiologic survey on alcohol and related conditions
- Author:
- CHOU Kee-Lee
- Journal article citation:
- International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 25(8), August 2010, pp.822-832.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
Panic disorder is significantly associated with higher medical and psychiatric comorbidities, yet there is a lack of research in this area. This study investigated the association of panic disorder with childhood parental loss and recent stressful life events; the co-existence of panic disorder with major depressive disorder and alcohol dependence; and the impact of panic disorder on health-related quality of life. Data from 13,420 adults, aged 55 years and older, from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (2001–2002) was used. Panic disorder was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule. Findings indicated that the current and lifetime prevalence rates of panic disorder were 1.17 and 3.72%, respectively. Panic disorder was more common among low income groups, and those who had reported more recent stressful life events. Major depressive disorder was significantly related to lifetime panic disorder. Panic disorder was also related to a lower health-related quality of life and dual medical conditions. The authors conclude that the correlation between panic disorder and major depressive disorder raised further questions about the nature of panic disorder in the elderly. This study supports the idea that panic disorder has a strong impact on quality of life in old age.