Depression in Chinese elderly populations

Abstract

There is a scarcity of systematic reports on the prevalence of depression in Chinese elderly populations. The available reports used a variety of diagnostic and screening instruments to identify elderly depression. Furthermore, samples were drawn from different elderly populations. In spite of these difficulties, the reports are consistent in terms of the prevalence rates of severe depression which is lower than those reported in Western studies; though the prevalence rates of depressive symptoms approach those of most Western countries. However, the Chinese elderly showed a particular sensitivity to social factors either as vulnerability or protection factors for depression. There is a consistent social dimension in depressive complaints by Chinese elderly; hence the need to construct specific culturally sensitive instruments and to establish within ethnic group norms and diagnostic criteria for elderly depression. Current intervention efforts to prevent and ameliorate depression in the community-dwelling elderly will be discussed.

Birth cohort changes in the depressive symptoms of Chinese older adults: a cross‐temporal meta‐analysis

“…However, since China's reform and opening up, the rapid economic development and advanced industrialization and urbanization have caused Chinese society to go through drastic transition and significant changes that contradict traditional cultures. For example, the traditional idea of "filial piety" has begun to be weakened by the rapid industrialization (Lim et al, 2011). Second, Chinese family values, family support, and connectedness, as well as the idea of filial piety, which are the reasons for the low depression occurrence among older adults in the past, have undergone considerable changes (Park et al, 2001).…”

Relationships between social support and depression, and quality of life of the elderly in a rural community in Malaysia

“…Another contributing factor to the low detection rate of severe depression probably lies in the rating instrument itself. Lim et al (2011) reported a low rate of depression among Chinese elderly and suggested that screening and diagnostic instruments for depression may be culturally sensitive and need to include social dimensions, as elderly Chinese persons have a tendency to report social difficulties in their depressive complaints. The GDS lacks such psychometric properties and also dismisses somatic components of depressive symptoms.…”

Suicidal thoughts and behaviors in older adults in rural China: a preliminary study

“…Despite the growing literature on the issue in older people in western countries, very little is known about the pattern of suicidal thoughts/behaviors in older Chinese in rural areas. There are concerns of difficulties that might be encountered in epidemiological surveys on suicidal thoughts/behaviors in older Chinese in rural areas because older people are frequently less willing to communicate their suicidal intent compared with younger people (Scocco and De Leo, ), and Chinese tend to somatize their depressive feelings (Lim et al ., ).…”