Depression, social support and associated factors among women living in rural China: a cross-sectional study.

Fengsu Hou,Peiyuan Qiu,Catherine Cerulli,Eric D Caine,Marsha N Wittink

doi:10.1186/s12905-015-0180-7

Fengsu Hou, Peiyuan Qiu + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-015-0180-7

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Abstract

BackgroundFew studies have focused on depression and social support in Eastern populations, especially women in rural China. Our research investigated depression among women in rural China, and studied the relationships between social support and depression.MethodsWe recruited women ages 16 years and older from north Sichuan. Participants completed socio-demographic measures, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Duke Social Support Index. The analysis method included descriptive statistics and logistic regression.ResultsThe final sample included 1,898 participants with a mean age of 48.6 years, and the prevalence of significant depressive symptoms was 12.4%. Results suggest being unemployed, having poorer perceived health/economic status, and lower social support were positively associated with depression. Younger age and greater social support were negatively associated with depression.ConclusionsThis study provides insights on the psychological health of women in rural China and potential directions for future research. These issues are especially pertinent during this time of rapid economic transformation and outmigration in rural China.

Highlights

Few studies have focused on depression and social support in Eastern populations, especially women in rural China
We report findings from a study of the relationship between distress, depression, and social support among women residing in rural China
Our research found that 7.5% of women living in rural Sichuan reported significant distress, as detected by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), and of these, 84.6% had a diagnosed mood disorder or other DSM diagnosis (Qiu P, Caine ED, Hou F, Cerulli C, Wittink MN, Li J, Zhang Y: The prevalence of distress and depression among women in rural Sichuan Province, submitted)

Summary

Introduction

Few studies have focused on depression and social support in Eastern populations, especially women in rural China. Our research investigated depression among women in rural China, and studied the relationships between social support and depression. We report findings from a study of the relationship between distress, depression, and social support among women residing in rural China. China has not conducted national prevalence studies, regional studies have indicated that women report greater mental health burdens than men. Hu and Lu’s research reported the prevalence of depression was 1.2% in Jiangxi Province in 2003, and the odds ratio (OR) between women and men was 1.91 [4]. Kunming reported the prevalence rates of lifetime depression in women and men were 2.4% and 1.5%

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