The depression status of empty nesters in eastern rural China

Abstract

We used the Geriatric Depression Scale to investigate the depression status of empty nesters living in eastern rural China (N = 967). The results showed that more than half of the participants suffered relatively severe depression and that their mental health was not favorable. Gender, age, level of education, and marital status had a significant influence on depression status. The degree of depression of men was lower than that of women. As participants’ age increased, the degree of depression first rose until the age of 84 and then fell thereafter. The depression of unmarried empty nesters was relatively severe compared to that of married ones. Finally, a higher level of education corresponded with a lower degree of depression. There are varied factors affecting the psychological status of empty nesters in China. To improve their mental state, the government, society, and family need to collaborate and take comprehensive measures.

A scoping review of older empty nesters’ mental health and its contributors

“…The other nine studies which did not contain non-empty nest samples mainly examined depression, cognitive functions and overall mental health outcomes among older empty nesters. Depression among older empty nesters was frequently assessed with the Geriatric Depression Scale (Su et al , 2012; Xu et al , 2017; Zhou et al , 2019). Other instruments such as the Self-rating Depression Scale, the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale were also adopted to measure depression (Huang et al , 2019; Lu et al , 2019; Zhang et al , 2019b).…”

“…Gender was found to be a significant risk factor in older empty nesters’ mental health. Most studies that assessed gender differences within the older empty nester group reported that females had higher prevalence of mental health problems including depression and anxiety disorders than males (Guo et al , 2016; Kaur et al , 2016; Wang et al , 2013; Xu et al , 2017; Zhang et al , 2019b; Zhou et al , 2019). Only one study reported that males had higher prevalence of depression than females (Zhai et al , 2015).…”

“…Within the older empty nester group, those who lived alone due to divorce or bereavement showed poorer mental health than those who lived with a spouse. They were at significantly higher risks of loneliness, depression, anxiety disorder and/or cognitive impairment (Duan et al , 2017; Liu and Guo, 2007; Wang et al , 2013; Xie et al , 2010; Xu et al , 2017; Zhang et al , 2019a; Zhou et al , 2019). In addition, older empty nesters living in an institution or facility were at higher risks of depression and cognitive impairment than those aging in place (Duan et al , 2017; Zhang et al , 2019a).…”

“…Less educated or illiterate older empty nesters were more likely to show symptoms of depression and cognitive impairment (Wang et al , 2013; Xie et al , 2019; Xu et al , 2017; Zhai et al , 2015; Zhou et al , 2019). Older empty nesters with lower income also experienced higher degrees of depression, cognitive impairment and/or poorer overall mental health than those with higher income (Guo et al , 2016; Liu and Guo, 2007; Xie et al , 2010, 2019; Zhang et al , 2019a).…”