Prevalence and predictors in self-neglect: A cross-sectional study of domestic migrant older adults in China.

Abstract

Insufficient information is available on the prevalence and predictors of self-neglect among Chinese domestic migrant older adults resulting from rapid aging and mass population migration. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 597 older adults in four districts of Wenzhou from May to November 2020. A self-neglect scale was used to assess the prevalence of self-neglect among such adults. Sixteen potential predictors were considered in the domains of sociodemographic, health condition, socioeconomic, social isolation, intergenerational relationship, and filial piety. The prevalence of self-neglect within this population was 72.7%. Social isolation (OR=0.823; 95%CI 0.684-0.990), physical health (OR=0.966; 95%CI 0.941-0.992), intergenerational ambivalence (OR=1.240; 95%CI 1.013-1.519), and affective-cognitive solidarity (OR=0.796; 95%CI 0.719-0.880) were found to be independent predictors of self-neglect in this population. We suggest that community health service organizations should prioritize migrant older adults with a poor health status and those with intergenerational ambivalence to reduce self-neglect in migrant older adults. Such older adults should also be encouraged to participate in community activities for more social integration.