Risk factors of mental disorders among empty and non-empty nesters in Shanxi, China: a cross-sectional study

Chichen Zhang,Ruifang Zhu,Lihong Hou,Jingmin Cheng,Xiaozhao Yousef Yang,Jiao Lu,Tingzhong Yang,Huining Zhao,Xiao Zheng

doi:10.1186/s12955-019-1088-y

Abstract

BackgroundChina has the world’s largest size of elderly population. Mental disorders of the elders deserve keen attention. This study aims to comparatively explore mental disorders and risk factors among empty and non-empty nesters.MethodsUsing the stratified random cluster sampling method, we recruited 8526 elders aged 60 years and above from 11 cities in Shanxi Province in central China, comprising 4901 empty and 3625 non-empty nesters. The mental disorders were assessed with the 12-item Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ-12). The binary logistic regression was performed to analyze the risk factors in the two groups.ResultsThe prevalence of mental disorders in empty nesters was significantly higher than that in non-empty ones (26.9% vs 23.5%). Binary logistic regression showed that the empty nesters who lived alone or lived in an institution were more likely to suffer from mental disorders compared with the non-empty ones, empty nesters living with spouse showed no significant deviation. And single status, hardly or part self-care ability, having chronic diseases, having lower income, and paying less attention to daily healthy diet had positive associations with mental disorders for empty nesters, and no or partial self-care ability and having chronic diseases for non-empty nesters.ConclusionsThe study indicated that empty nesters had a higher prevalence of mental disorders than non-empty ones. Empty nesters living alone, with no or partial self-care ability, chronic disease, lower income and less attention to daily healthy diet were more vulnerable to mental disorders. And the lack of self-care ability and having chronic diseases were risk factors of mental disorders for non-empty nesters.

Highlights

China has the world’s largest size of elderly population
More than half of them lived in rural areas (65.01%), obtained elementary education and below (62.8%), and had either no monthly income or income less than RMB 1000 (62.5%)
Significant differences in basic characteristics among empty and non-empty nesters were found for gender, age, marital status, employment status, monthly income, chronic disease, attention to daily healthy diet, relationship with their children and The 12-item version of Chinese Health Questionnaire (CHQ-12) score

Summary

Introduction

China has the world’s largest size of elderly population. Mental disorders of the elders deserve keen attention. According to the annual data of the National Bureau of Statistics of China (CNBS), 230 million people aged 60 years and above accounted for 16.7% of the total population in 2016, an increase of 15.6% from 199 million in 2010 [1, 2]. As substantial demographic change happens, mental disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety, impulse control, and substance abuse) in the elders become a type of major health challenge [5, 6]. Among the consequences of mental disorders are loneliness, increased risk for physical illnesses (e.g., ischemic heart disease, stroke, cancer), cognitive decline, impairments in activities of daily living. A widespread type of mental disorders, causes a common disability in the elders and decreases in

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