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Comprehensive Comparison between Empty Nest and Non-Empty Nest Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study among Rural Populations in Northeast China

Author

Listed:
  • Ye Chang

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

  • Xiaofan Guo

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

  • Liang Guo

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

  • Zhao Li

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

  • Hongmei Yang

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

  • Shasha Yu

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

  • Guozhe Sun

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

  • Yingxian Sun

    (Department of Cardiology, the First Hospital of China Medical University, 155 Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang 110001, China)

Abstract

This study aimed to comprehensively compare the general characteristics, lifestyles, serum parameters, ultrasonic cardiogram (UCG) parameters, depression, quality of life, and various comorbidities between empty nest and non-empty nest elderly among rural populations in northeast China. This analysis was based on our previous study which was conducted from January 2012 to August 2013, using a multistage, stratified, random cluster sampling scheme. The final analyzed sample consisted of 3208 participants aged no less than 60 years, which was further classified into three groups: non-empty nest group, empty nest group (living as a couple), and empty nest group (living alone). More than half of the participants were empty nest elderly (60.5%). There were no significant statistical differences for serum parameters, UCG parameters, lifestyles, dietary pattern, and scores of Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and World Health Organization Quality of Life questionnaire, abbreviated version (WHOQOL-BREF) among the three groups. Empty nest elderly showed no more risk for comorbidities such as general obesity, abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes, dyslipidemia, left atrial enlargement (LAE), and stroke. Our study indicated that empty nest elderly showed no more risk for depression, low quality of life and comorbidities such as general obesity, abdominal obesity, hyperuricemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, diabetes, dyslipidemia, LAE, and stroke among rural populations in northeast China.

Suggested Citation

  • Ye Chang & Xiaofan Guo & Liang Guo & Zhao Li & Hongmei Yang & Shasha Yu & Guozhe Sun & Yingxian Sun, 2016. "Comprehensive Comparison between Empty Nest and Non-Empty Nest Elderly: A Cross-Sectional Study among Rural Populations in Northeast China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:13:y:2016:i:9:p:857-:d:76855
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jikun Wang & Xudong Zhao, 2012. "Empty nest syndrome in China," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(1), pages 110-110, January.
    2. Fei Chen & Xiang-Long Xu & Zhan Yang & Hua-Wei Tan & Liang Zhang, 2015. "The Willingness-to-Pay for General Practitioners in Contractual Service and Influencing Factors among Empty Nesters in Chongqing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-12, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xueyan Cheng & Liang Zhang, 2022. "Health Service Needs from a Household Perspective: An Empirical Study in Rural Empty Nest Families in Sinan and Dangyang, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Marcia G. Ory & Matthew Lee Smith, 2017. "What If Healthy Aging Is the ‘New Normal’?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-5, November.
    3. Xianfei Chen & Hong Zhu & Duo Yin, 2020. "Everyday Life Construction, Outdoor Activity and Health Practice among Urban Empty Nesters and Their Companion Dogs in Guangzhou, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-17, June.
    4. Yecheng Yao & Gangqiang Ding & Liaoliao Wang & Ye Jin & Jianwei Lin & Yujia Zhai & Tao Zhang & Fan He & Weigang Fan, 2019. "Risk Factors for Depression in Empty Nesters: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Coastal City of Zhejiang Province and China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    5. Dai Su & Zhifang Chen & Jingjing Chang & Guangwen Gong & Dandan Guo & Min Tan & Yunfan Zhang & Yanchen Liu & Xinlan Chen & Xinlin Chen & Yingchun Chen, 2020. "Effect of Social Participation on the Physical Functioning and Depression of Empty-Nest Elderly in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (CHARLS)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-15, December.

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