Prevalence and Factors Associated With Depression and Depressive Symptoms Among Chinese Older Persons: An Integrative Review.
Yue Wu, Nicola Cornally, Aine O'Donovan and 3 others
PMID 39821526WHAT IT FOUND
Depression and depressive symptoms ranged from 3.78% to 84.3% in community-dwelling Chinese older adults across 65 studies.
Chronic disease, loneliness, living alone, low economic status, low social support and low education were commonly reported associated factors.
Key findings
01Across 65 included studies, depression and depressive symptoms ranged from 3.78% to 84.3%.
02A greater number of chronic diseases was associated with higher depression or depressive symptoms, while better self-rated health was associated with lower depression or depressive symptoms.
03Living alone and lower education were consistently reported social factors associated with higher depression or depressive symptoms.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The prevalence range was wide, from 3.78% to 84.3%, and different study populations, depression instruments and cut-off values were used. Depression and depressive symptoms were often used interchangeably, and the review notes a lack of standardised definitions. Most included studies were cross-sectional, so they show association, not cause. The review covered community-dwelling older adults and excluded care homes, nursing homes and hospitals. Qualitative studies were excluded, so lived experience was not included. Self-reported data may bias prevalence and associated factors. Findings were inconsistent for smoking, alcohol use, religious beliefs and employment. Macau, Ningxia and Qinghai were not investigated.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the 84.3% prevalence as a general estimate for Chinese older adults. It came from one study of rural left-behind older adults, and the review reported a range rather than a single prevalence figure.