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Risk Factors for Depression in Empty Nesters: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Coastal City of Zhejiang Province and China

Author

Listed:
  • Yecheng Yao

    (National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China)

  • Gangqiang Ding

    (National Institute for Nutrition and Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100050, China)

  • Liaoliao Wang

    (Wenling Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenling 317500, China)

  • Ye Jin

    (Wenling Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenling 317500, China)

  • Jianwei Lin

    (Wenling Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenling 317500, China)

  • Yujia Zhai

    (Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China)

  • Tao Zhang

    (Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China)

  • Fan He

    (Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou 310051, China)

  • Weigang Fan

    (Wenling Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Wenling 317500, China)

Abstract

The elderly are susceptible to depression, especially empty nesters. This study investigated the risk factors associated with depression in empty nesters. The participants were selected via multi-stage random cluster sampling. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale. The questionnaire surveyed demographic characteristics, underlying diseases, behaviors and lifestyles, negative life experiences, social support, self-care ability, etc. Chronic health conditions, such as being overweight/obese, smoking cessation, cancer, and chronic pain, as well as negative life experiences, such as the death of a loved one and financial loss, increased the risk of depression in empty nesters. In addition, the incapability of performing self-care also increased the risk of depression in empty nesters. The prevalence of depression in empty nesters was high. Being overweight/obese, cancer, chronic pain, smoking cessation, the death of a loved one, financial loss, and the incapability to deliver self-care were risk factors for depression in empty nesters. It is recommended that comprehensive measures be taken to enhance health interventions for this population, including encouraging a proper diet and physical activity for weight control, providing psychological counseling after negative life experiences, and teaching correct methods of smoking cessation.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:21:p:4106-:d:280065
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wenjun Cao & Chongzheng Guo & Weiwei Ping & Zhijun Tan & Ying Guo & Jianzhong Zheng, 2016. "A Community-Based Study of Quality of Life and Depression among Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-10, July.
    2. 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.
    3. Olaf von dem Knesebeck & Elise Pattyn & Piet Bracke, 2011. "Education and depressive symptoms in 22 European countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 56(1), pages 107-110, February.
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