Abstract
BackgroundPrevious studies have shown that depressive symptoms in middle-aged women were associated with a number of factors such as climacteric symptoms. Nevertheless, studies based on population-based data with a wide range of potential correlates are still scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the correlates of depressive symptoms in late middle-aged Taiwanese women using data from a nationally-representative, population-based survey.MethodsWomen aged 50.0–65.0 years were identified from the dataset of the 2009 Taiwan National Health Interview Survey. The outcome measure was depressive symptoms in the past week, evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CES-D 10) with a cut-off score of 10 or greater. Univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate the correlates of depressive symptoms.ResultsThe mean age of the 533 respondents was 56.7 years. Depressive symptoms were present in 53 respondents (9.9%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that an education level of elementary school or below (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 3.19, P = 0.003), nulliparity (AOR = 8.10, P = 0.001), living alone (AOR = 5.47, P = 0.003), never having worked (AOR = 4.14, P = 0.008), lack of regular exercise (AOR = 3.01, P = 0.003), a perceived health status of fair or bad (AOR = 4.34, P < 0.001), and somatic climacteric symptoms (AOR = 2.32, P = 0.012) were independent and significant factors of depressive symptoms in late middle-aged Taiwanese women.ConclusionsFindings from this secondary analysis of a population-based survey suggested independent associations of somatic climacteric symptoms, and a number of socio-demographic and health-related factors with depressive symptoms in late middle-aged Taiwanese women.
Highlights
Previous studies have shown that depressive symptoms in middle-aged women were associated with a number of factors such as climacteric symptoms
A cross-sectional, community-based survey of 393 middle-aged women in Hong Kong found that a marital status of not married or not cohabiting with a partner, a lower educational level, having multiple chronic diseases, and having experienced certain stressful life events were significant factors associated with depressive symptoms [18]
A cross-sectional study based on a convenience sample of 566 women from a medical center and residential community in southern Taiwan reported that menopausal symptoms, attitudes towards menopause and aging, family income, and chronic disease status were significantly associated with depressive symptoms [20]
Summary
Previous studies have shown that depressive symptoms in middle-aged women were associated with a number of factors such as climacteric symptoms. A cross-sectional, community-based survey of 393 middle-aged women in Hong Kong found that a marital status of not married or not cohabiting with a partner, a lower educational level, having multiple chronic diseases, and having experienced certain stressful life events were significant factors associated with depressive symptoms [18]. Another cross-sectional study of 672 Taiwanese aboriginal women aged between 40 and 60 years showed that a higher score for physiological postmenopausal symptoms was significantly associated with depression [19]. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlates of depressive symptoms among late middle-aged women using data from a nationwide, population-based survey of Taiwan
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