Risk Factors for Depression in Empty Nesters: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Coastal City of Zhejiang Province and China

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Yecheng Yao¹  Gangqiang Ding¹  Liaoliao Wang²  Ye Jin²  Weigang Fan²  Jianwei Lin²  Yujia Zhai³  Fan He³  Tao Zhang³ 

[1] National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China;Wenling Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenling 317500, China;Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China;

关键词: risk factors;    depression;    empty nesters;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ijerph16214106

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The elderly are susceptible to depression, especially empty nesters. This study investigated the risk factors associated with depression in empty nesters. The participants were selected via multi-stage random cluster sampling. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The questionnaire surveyed demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, behaviors and lifestyles, negative life experiences, social support, self-care ability, etc. Chronic health conditions, such as being overweight/obese, smoking cessation, cancer, and chronic pain, as well as negative life experiences, such as the death of a loved one and financial loss, increased the risk of depression in empty nesters. In addition, the incapability of performing self-care also increased the risk of depression in empty nesters. The prevalence of depression in empty nesters was high. Being overweight/obese, cancer, chronic pain, smoking cessation, the death of a loved one, financial loss, and the incapability to deliver self-care were risk factors for depression in empty nesters. It is recommended that comprehensive measures be taken to enhance health interventions for this population, including encouraging a proper diet and physical activity for weight control, providing psychological counseling after negative life experiences, and teaching correct methods of smoking cessation.

【 授权许可】

Unknown