Shibin Wang1,2, Bo Li3, Gabor S Ungvari4,5, Chee H Ng6, Helen F K Chiu7, Changgui Kou1, Yawen Liu1, Yuchun Tao1, Yanhua Wu1, Yingli Fu1, Yue Qi1, Yaqin Yu1, Yu-Tao Xiang8. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China. 2. Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, 3/F, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR, China. 3. Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Jilin University, Changchun, China. li_bo@jlu.edu.cn. 4. University of Notre Dame Australia/Marian Centre, Perth, Australia. 5. School of Psychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. 6. Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 7. Department of Psychiatry, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China. 8. Unit of Psychiatry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Avenida da Universidade, 3/F, Building E12, Taipa, Macau SAR, China. xyutly@gmail.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Although poor mental health is associated with significant personal and societal burden, it is rarely reported in older Chinese populations. This study examined the mental health status of a large representative sample of Chinese elderly in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. METHODS: Multistage stratified cluster sampling was used in this cross-sectional study. A total of 4115 people aged between 60 and 79 years were selected and interviewed with standardized assessment tools. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure general mental health with the total score of ≥4 as the threshold for poor mental health status. RESULTS: The adjusted percentage of poor mental health status in the whole sample was 23.8 %; 18.5 % in men and 28.9 % in women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, widowed/separated marital status, rural abode, low income, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, and multi-morbidity were independently associated with poor mental health. The percentage of poor mental health status was significantly higher in patients with anemia, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cataract/glaucoma, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, nasopharyngitis, chronic gastroenteritis/peptic ulcer, liver diseases, cholecystitis/gallstone, arthritis, or chronic low back pain. CONCLUSION: Given the high rate of poor mental health status among older Chinese population, policy makers and health professionals in China should address the mental health burden of its aging population.
OBJECTIVE: Although poor mental health is associated with significant personal and societal burden, it is rarely reported in older Chinese populations. This study examined the mental health status of a large representative sample of Chinese elderly in relation to socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and chronic diseases. METHODS: Multistage stratified cluster sampling was used in this cross-sectional study. A total of 4115 people aged between 60 and 79 years were selected and interviewed with standardized assessment tools. The 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used to measure general mental health with the total score of ≥4 as the threshold for poor mental health status. RESULTS: The adjusted percentage of poor mental health status in the whole sample was 23.8 %; 18.5 % in men and 28.9 % in women. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, widowed/separated marital status, rural abode, low income, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, and multi-morbidity were independently associated with poor mental health. The percentage of poor mental health status was significantly higher in patients with anemia, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, cataract/glaucoma, ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular diseases, nasopharyngitis, chronic gastroenteritis/peptic ulcer, liver diseases, cholecystitis/gallstone, arthritis, or chronic low back pain. CONCLUSION: Given the high rate of poor mental health status among older Chinese population, policy makers and health professionals in China should address the mental health burden of its aging population.
Entities:
Keywords:
Chinese elderly; Chronic disease; Mental health
Authors: Barbara Resnick; Diane Perry; Gary Applebaum; Linda Armstrong; Marjorie Cotterman; Suzanne Dillman; Susan Elliott; Marie McCarthy; Matthew Narrett; Sherry Parrish; John H Parrish Journal: J Community Health Nurs Date: 2003 Impact factor: 0.974
Authors: S B Wang; C D'Arcy; Y Q Yu; B Li; Y W Liu; Y C Tao; Y H Wu; Q Q Zhang; Z Q Xu; Y L Fu; C G Kou Journal: Public Health Date: 2015-07-22 Impact factor: 2.427