IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v17y2020i21p7880-d435649.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Self-Treatment among the Elderly—A Comparative Study between Empty and Non-Empty Nesters in Shandong, China

Author

Listed:
  • Zhaorong Gao

    (School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Shandong University Center for Health Economics Experiment and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Lingzhong Xu

    (School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Shandong University Center for Health Economics Experiment and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Wenzhe Qin

    (School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Shandong University Center for Health Economics Experiment and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Jiao Zhang

    (School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Shandong University Center for Health Economics Experiment and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Jinling Zhou

    (School of Medicine and Health Management, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Fangfang Hu

    (School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Shandong University Center for Health Economics Experiment and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

  • Zhuang Hong

    (School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    NHC Key Laboratory of Health Economics and Policy Research, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
    Shandong University Center for Health Economics Experiment and Public Policy Research, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China)

Abstract

(1) Objectives: With an aging society in China, self-treatment now plays an important role in health care among older adults, but it can be problematic. This study aims to explore and compare the self-treatment behavior among empty and non-empty nesters. (2) Methods: Using a multi-stage stratified random cluster sampling method, a total of 4366 elderly people aged 60 and above from Shandong Province, China, were enrolled in this study. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the associated factors of self-treatment. (3) Results: The prevalence of self-treatment in empty nesters was significantly lower than that in non-empty ones (74.0% vs. 83.3%). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that higher educational level and poorer self-rated economic status were negatively associated with self-treatment in empty nesters, while unemployed and urban and rural residents’ basic medical insurance were positively associated with self-treatment in non-empty ones. (4) Conclusions: The study indicated that empty nesters had lower likelihood of self-treatment than non-empty ones. Empty nesters with better socioeconomic status were more likely to use self-treatment; by contrast, non-empty nesters with relatively poorer socioeconomic status were more inclined to self-treatment. Targeted interventions should be developed to maximize the effectiveness of self-treatment and reduce health risks.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhaorong Gao & Lingzhong Xu & Wenzhe Qin & Jiao Zhang & Jinling Zhou & Fangfang Hu & Zhuang Hong, 2020. "Prevalence and Associated Factors of Self-Treatment among the Elderly—A Comparative Study between Empty and Non-Empty Nesters in Shandong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-11, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7880-:d:435649
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/7880/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/21/7880/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hui-Chuan Hsu, 2010. "Trajectory of Life Satisfaction and its Relationship with Subjective Economic Status and Successful Aging," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 99(3), pages 455-468, December.
    2. Jikun Wang & Xudong Zhao, 2012. "Empty nest syndrome in China," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 58(1), pages 110-110, January.
    3. Rui Wang & Chenjin Ma & Kun Jiang & Ming Li & Shuangge Ma, 2018. "Descriptions of self-treatment for the middle-aged and elderly in Shanxi, China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, June.
    4. Yu Wang & Yan Jiang & Yang Li & Xiaojun Wang & Chi Ma & Shuangge Ma, 2013. "Health Insurance Utilization and Its Impact: Observations from the Middle-Aged and Elderly in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(12), pages 1-9, December.
    5. Jiao Zhang & Lingzhong Xu & Jiajia Li & Long Sun & Gan Ding & Wenzhe Qin & Qian Wang & Jing Zhu & Zihang Yu & Su Xie, 2018. "Loneliness and Health Service Utilization among the Rural Elderly in Shandong, China: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-11, July.
    6. Luo, Juhua & Zhang, Xiulan & Jin, Chenggang & Wang, Dongmin, 2009. "Inequality of access to health care among the urban elderly in northwestern China," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(2-3), pages 111-117, December.
    7. Ed Diener & Ed Sandvik & Larry Seidlitz & Marissa Diener, 1993. "The relationship between income and subjective well-being: Relative or absolute?," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 28(3), pages 195-223, March.
    8. Yan Jiang & Yu Wang & Le Zhang & Yang Li & Xiaojun Wang & Shuangge Ma, 2013. "Access to Healthcare and Medical Expenditure for the Middle-Aged and Elderly: Observations from China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 8(5), pages 1-10, May.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Tao Zhang & Jing Liu & Chaojie Liu, 2019. "Changes in Perceived Accessibility to Healthcare from the Elderly between 2005 and 2014 in China: An Oaxaca–Blinder Decomposition Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-12, October.
    2. Yang Li & Yinjun Zhao & Danhui Yi & Xiaojun Wang & Yan Jiang & Yu Wang & Xinchun Liu & Shuangge Ma, 2017. "Differences exist across insurance schemes in China post-consolidation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, November.
    3. Xiang Jing & Lingzhong Xu & Wenzhe Qin & Jiao Zhang & Lu Lu & Yali Wang & Yu Xia & An’an Jiao & Yaozu Li, 2020. "The Willingness for Downward Referral and Its Influencing Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study among Older Adults in Shandong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-13, January.
    4. Yushan Hou & Chang Cai & Houlin Tang & Yichen Jin & Fangfang Chen & Dandan Niu & Fan Lv, 2023. "Sexual Behavior and Perceived Loneliness in Elderly People Living with HIV in China during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-8, February.
    5. Soo Tan & Siok Tambyah & Ah Kau, 2006. "The Influence of Value Orientations and Demographics on Quality-of-Life Perceptions: Evidence from a National Survey of Singaporeans," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 78(1), pages 33-59, August.
    6. Castro, Damaris & Bleys, Brent, 2023. "Do people think they have enough? A subjective income sufficiency assessment," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    7. Alcott, Blake, 2008. "The sufficiency strategy: Would rich-world frugality lower environmental impact," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 64(4), pages 770-786, February.
    8. Stefano Bartolini & Francesco Sarracino, 2014. "It's not the economy, stupid! How social capital and GDP relate to happiness over time," Papers 1411.2138, arXiv.org.
    9. BARTOLINI Stefano & SARRACINO Francesco, 2011. "Happy for How Long? How Social Capital and GDP relate to Happiness over Time," LISER Working Paper Series 2011-60, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER).
    10. Caporale, Guglielmo Maria & Georgellis, Yannis & Tsitsianis, Nicholas & Yin, Ya Ping, 2009. "Income and happiness across Europe: Do reference values matter?," Journal of Economic Psychology, Elsevier, vol. 30(1), pages 42-51, February.
    11. Islam, Gazi, 2008. "Objective and subjective indicators of happiness in Brazil: The mediating role of social," Insper Working Papers wpe_138, Insper Working Paper, Insper Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa.
    12. Elgar, Frank J. & De Clercq, Bart & Schnohr, Christina W. & Bird, Phillippa & Pickett, Kate E. & Torsheim, Torbjørn & Hofmann, Felix & Currie, Candace, 2013. "Absolute and relative family affluence and psychosomatic symptoms in adolescents," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 25-31.
    13. Bucciol, Alessandro & Burro, Giovanni, 2022. "Is there a happiness premium for working in the public sector? Evidence from Italy," Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Economics (formerly The Journal of Socio-Economics), Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    14. Qunyong Wang & Zhongwu Li & Xueliang Feng, 2019. "Does the Happiness of Contemporary Women in China Depend on Their Husbands’ Achievements?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 40(4), pages 710-728, December.
    15. António Caleiro, 2011. "Desemprego e Felicidade em Portugal," Economics Working Papers 5_2011, University of Évora, Department of Economics (Portugal).
    16. Zheng Xie & Adrienne N Poon & Zhijun Wu & Weiyan Jian & Kit Yee Chan, 2015. "Is Occupation a Good Predictor of Self-Rated Health in China?," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(5), pages 1-18, May.
    17. Moritz Drechsel-Grau & Kai Daniel Schmid, 2013. "Consumption-Savings Decisions under Upward Looking Comparisons: Evidence from Germany, 2002-2011," IMK Working Paper 118-2013, IMK at the Hans Boeckler Foundation, Macroeconomic Policy Institute.
    18. García-Muñoz, Teresa & Neuman, Shoshana & Neuman, Tzahi, 2014. "Health Risk Factors among the Older European Populations: Personal and Country Effects," IZA Discussion Papers 8529, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    19. Konow, James & Earley, Joseph, 2008. "The Hedonistic Paradox: Is homo economicus happier," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 92(1-2), pages 1-33, February.
    20. Benjamin Schalembier, 2016. "The Impact of Exposure to Other Countries on Life Satisfaction: An International Application of the Relative Income Hypothesis," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 128(1), pages 221-239, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:7880-:d:435649. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.