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Prevalence, awareness, and treatment of depressive symptoms among the middle‐aged and elderly in China from 2008 to 2015

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  • Qun Wang
  • Wenyao Tian

Abstract

Introduction This study aimed at exploring the temporal trend of prevalence, awareness, and treatment of depressive symptoms among the middle‐aged and elderly in China from 2008 to 2015, as well as depicting how many respondents suffered from persistent depression, whether they were aware of and how they coped with such persistent conditions over time. Methods This study used the 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2015 data of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. We used descriptive statistics for data analysis. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms among the middle‐aged and elderly in China remained relatively stable at 32% to 37% from 2008 to 2015. Only less than 5% of those with depressive symptoms were aware of their conditions and less than 2% sought care over time. We also observed that persistent depression was very severe among the respondents and most of those with persistent conditions were still not aware of nor seek any care for the symptoms. Conclusion Despite of the continuous efforts done by the Chinese government, depression in China is still in poor management. The Chinese government needs to first understand why and how the continuous government efforts do not turn into actual effects of depression management.

Suggested Citation

  • Qun Wang & Wenyao Tian, 2018. "Prevalence, awareness, and treatment of depressive symptoms among the middle‐aged and elderly in China from 2008 to 2015," International Journal of Health Planning and Management, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 1060-1070, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ijhplm:v:33:y:2018:i:4:p:1060-1070
    DOI: 10.1002/hpm.2581
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    Cited by:

    1. Kendall Searle & Grant Blashki & Ritsuko Kakuma & Hui Yang & Harry Minas, 2022. "Listening to the Shenzhen Primary Healthcare Context to Adapt the mhGAP-IG.v2 for the Assessment of Depression: Qualitative Workshops with Primary Healthcare Leaders," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-17, February.
    2. Zheng, Xiaodong & Shangguan, Shuangyue & Fang, Zuyi & Fang, Xiangming, 2021. "Early-life exposure to parental mental distress and adulthood depression among middle-aged and elderly Chinese," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    3. Qun Wang & Kunyi Fan & Peng Li, 2022. "Effect of the Use of Home and Community Care Services on the Multidimensional Health of Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-11, November.

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