Jing Guo1, Liding Guan2, Liming Fang3, Chengcheng Liu2, Mingqi Fu2, Huan He4, Xiaohua Wang5. 1. School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China. Electronic address: jing624218@163.com. 2. School of Sociology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430074, PR China. 3. School of Insurance and Economics, University of International Business and Economics, Beijing 100029, PR China. Electronic address: liming01986@foxmail.com. 4. Department of Public Administration, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, Chengdou 610074, PR China. 5. School of Social Development and Public Policy, China Institute of Health, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that socioeconomic status is linked to health status. However, most of these studies have been conducted in developed countries, whose social settings are different from those in China. Hukou (household registration) status, one of China's main socioeconomic indicators, has received limited attention in the literature. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between different Hukou statuses, and depression, among older adults in China. METHODS: The data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). In total, 7409 Chinese older adults aged 60 and over were included in the survey. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) was used to assess depressive symptoms. The various Hukou statuses were coded into four categories: villager, temporary rural-to-urban migrant, permanent rural-to-urban migrant and urban local citizen. RESULTS: The results indicated that the level of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among villagers (beta [ß] 1.40, 95%CI 0.83-1.96), temporary migrants (beta [ß] 0.97 95%CI 0.38-1.56) and permanent migrants (beta [ß] 0.52 95%CI 0.04-1.00) than among urban local citizens. In addition, people who had experienced changes in their Hukou status before age 16 were more likely to have depressive symptoms (beta [ß] 1.39, 95% CI 0.20-2.58). LIMITATIONS: Being cross-sectional, this study is insufficient for determining causal relationships between Hukou status and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that deeper reform of the Hukou system, and greater efforts to eliminate the health disparities associated with that system, are needed in China.
BACKGROUND: Previous studies have suggested that socioeconomic status is linked to health status. However, most of these studies have been conducted in developed countries, whose social settings are different from those in China. Hukou (household registration) status, one of China's main socioeconomic indicators, has received limited attention in the literature. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between different Hukou statuses, and depression, among older adults in China. METHODS: The data were obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). In total, 7409 Chinese older adults aged 60 and over were included in the survey. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10) was used to assess depressive symptoms. The various Hukou statuses were coded into four categories: villager, temporary rural-to-urban migrant, permanent rural-to-urban migrant and urban local citizen. RESULTS: The results indicated that the level of depressive symptoms was significantly higher among villagers (beta [ß] 1.40, 95%CI 0.83-1.96), temporary migrants (beta [ß] 0.97 95%CI 0.38-1.56) and permanent migrants (beta [ß] 0.52 95%CI 0.04-1.00) than among urban local citizens. In addition, people who had experienced changes in their Hukou status before age 16 were more likely to have depressive symptoms (beta [ß] 1.39, 95% CI 0.20-2.58). LIMITATIONS: Being cross-sectional, this study is insufficient for determining causal relationships between Hukou status and depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that deeper reform of the Hukou system, and greater efforts to eliminate the health disparities associated with that system, are needed in China.