Keeping up with the Wangs: A cross-sectional multilevel analysis of individual and contextual influences on mental wellbeing and depressive symptoms in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Adele H. Wang ◽  
CMA Haworth ◽  
Qiang Ren
Keyword(s):  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Social Comparison ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Marriage Rate ◽  
Contextual Effects ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Population Census ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Average Education

BackgroundIn recent decades, China has experienced dramatic changes to its social and economic environment, which has affected the distribution of wellbeing across its citizens. While several studies have investigated individual level predictors of wellbeing in the Chinese population, less research has been done looking at contextual effects. This cross-sectional study looks at the individual and contextual effects of (regional) education, unemployment and marriage (rate) on individual happiness, life satisfaction and depressive symptomatology. MethodsData were collected from over 29,000 individuals (aged 18 to 110, 51.91% female) in the China Family Panel Studies, and merged with county level census data obtained from the 2010 China Population Census and Statistical Yearbook. To explore contextual effects, we used multilevel models accounting for the hierarchical structure of the data. ResultsWe found that a one-year increase in education was associated with a 0.17% increase in happiness and a 0.16% decrease in depressive symptoms. Unemployed men were 1% less happy, 1% less satisfied with life and reported 0.84% more depressive symptoms than employed men while minimal effects were seen for women. Single, divorced and widowed individuals had worse outcomes than married individuals (ranging from 2.96% to 21% differences). We found interaction effects for education and employment. Less educated individuals had greater happiness and less depressive symptoms in counties with higher average education compared to counterparts in less educated counties. In contrast, more educated individuals were less satisfied with life in more educated counties, an effect that is possibly due to social comparison. Employed individuals had lower life satisfaction in areas of high unemployment, while levels were constant for the unemployed. A 1% increase in county marriage rate was associated with 0.33% and 0.24% increases in happiness and life satisfaction respectively, with no interactions. We speculate that this effect could be due to greater social cohesion in the neighbourhood.ConclusionsOur results show that policies designed to improve employment and marriage rates will be beneficial for all, while interventions to encourage positive social comparison strategies may help to offset the negative effects of increasing neighbourhood average education on the highly educated.

Resilience, pessimism, and depression in undergraduates in Hong Kong during Covid-19: A cross-sectional online survey study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Yi Sum ◽  
Sherry Kit Wa Chan ◽  
Gloria Hoi Yan Wong
Keyword(s):  
Hong Kong ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Family Conflict ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND Adolescence and young adulthood is a period of heightened risk of mental disorders onset. The Covid-19 pandemic may have impacted the daily lives and learning of students, exposing them to risks of emotional distress. Understanding factors associated with individual differences in distress can inform remedial strategies for schools. OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of Covid-19 on undergraduate students’ lifestyle and learning, and explore relationship between depressive symptoms, resilience, and optimism/pessimism bias in undergraduate students in Hong Kong. METHODS Cross-sectional online survey of undergraduate students in a university (n=1020) before and during the third wave of Covid-19 outbreak in Hong Kong between May and August 2020. Changes in habits and family conflicts, depressive symptoms (measured using Patient Health Questionnaire-9), resilience (measured using Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale), optimism/pessimism towards Covid-19 risks, and knowledge about Covid-19 were recorded. Multivariable linear regression and mediation analyses were used to explore relationships with depressive symptoms. RESULTS 61.7% of respondents have mild to severe depressive symptoms. The regression model found that 18.5% of the variance in depressive symptoms was explained by resilience, pessimism bias, changes in sleep, decrease in study at home, and increase in family conflict. Mediation analysis showed that resilience is indirectly related to depressive symptoms through its relationship with pessimism (ab = -0.042, CI = -0.057 to -0.013). Higher resilience was associated with lower depressive symptoms even after accounting for resilience’s indirect effect through pessimism (c’ = 0.311, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the mental health vulnerability of undergraduate students. Measures to reduce family conflict, maintain healthy daily habits, adjust optimism/pessimism bias, and enhance resilience may be useful for improving the mental wellbeing of undergraduate students during the pandemic.

Benefits of volunteerism for middle-aged and older adults: comparisons between types of volunteering activities

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-20
Author(s):  
Alfred H. K. Lam ◽  
Dannii Y. Yeung ◽  
Edwin K. H. Chung
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Middle Aged ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Health And Wellbeing ◽  
Hand Grip ◽  
Middle Aged Adults ◽  
Main Effects

Abstract Volunteering is a popular activity among middle-aged and older adults as means to contribute to the society and to maintain personal health and wellbeing. While the benefits of volunteering have been well-documented in the current literature, it does not tend to distinguish between various types of volunteering activities. This cross-sectional study aims to compare the effects of instrumental (e.g. food preparation, fundraising) and cognitively demanding volunteering activities (e.g. befriending, mentoring) in a sample of 487 middle-aged and older Hong Kong Chinese adults. Participation in instrumental and cognitively demanding volunteering, life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, cognitive functioning and hand-grip strength were measured. The results of two-way between-subject robust analyses of variance demonstrated significant main effects of volunteering type and their interaction effect with age on life satisfaction and depressive symptoms. Comparisons among four volunteering groups (no volunteering, instrumental volunteering, cognitively demanding volunteering and both types) revealed that individuals engaging in instrumental volunteering exhibited lower life satisfaction and more depressive symptoms compared to those who engaged in cognitively demanding volunteering and those who did not volunteer at all. This detrimental pattern of instrumental volunteering was only seen in middle-aged adults, but not in older adults. Findings of this study revealed distinctive effects of two volunteering types, and provide valuable directions for designing future volunteering programmes.

scholarly journals Prevalence and Associated Factors for Depressive Symptomatology in Chinese Adults During COVID-19 Epidemic

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Songxu Peng ◽  
Xin Lai ◽  
Yukai Du ◽  
Yuting Li ◽  
Kunming Tian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
General Population ◽  
Associated Factors ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Considerable Proportion ◽  
Chinese Adults ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Targeted Interventions

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been rapidly transmitted worldwide, which contributed to various psychological problems (such as fear, depression, and anxiety) among the general population in China. The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of depressive symptoms among Chinese adults.Methods: A cross-sectional study of Chinese adults was conducted during 17–29 February 2020. Symptoms of depression were assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale (CES-D).Results: A total of 3,399 respondents were included in the analysis. It was observed that 14.2% (481/3,399) of the participants were screened positive for depressive symptoms. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age (OR = 0.98; 95% CI, 0.97–0.99), smoking (OR = 1.57; 95% CI, 1.10–2.26), self-rated health (good: OR = 0.49; 95% CI, 0.37–0.66; fairly: OR = 0.60; 95% CI, 0.45–0.80), having greater support scores (OR = 0.95; 95% CI, 0.94–0.96), knowledge about the main symptom of COVID-19 (very clearly: OR = 0.58; 95% CI, 0.42–0.79; relatively clearly: OR = 0.59; 95% CI, 0.44–0.79), and staying in Wuhan within 3 months before the outbreak of epidemic (OR = 1.78; 95% CI, 1.34–2.38) were associated with depressive symptoms.Conclusion: A considerable proportion of the general population in China had depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 epidemic. Routine screening and targeted interventions for depression are needed among high-risk depressed individuals during the COVID-19 epidemic.

scholarly journals Sense of Coherence in Association with Stress Experience and Health in Adolescents

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (9) ◽  
pp. 3003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Unni Karin Moksnes ◽  
Geir Arild Espnes
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Sense Of Coherence ◽  
Subjective Health ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Health Complaints ◽  
Subjective Health Complaints ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Rated Health ◽  
Stress And Health

This study investigated the associations between sex, age, socio-economic status, stress, sense of coherence (SOC), and health (mental wellbeing, depressive symptoms, self-rated health, and subjective health complaints) in Norwegian adolescents aged 13–19 years. Furthermore, the study investigated the potential protective or compensatory role from SOC on the association between stress and health. Methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional sample of 1233 adolescents. Data were analyzed with descriptive, comparative, and multiple linear regression analyses. Results: Girls reported significantly higher scores on depressive symptoms and subjective health complaints than boys. Stress was significantly and positively associated with depressive symptoms. SOC associated significantly with all outcome variables; and especially with mental wellbeing and depressive symptoms. Significant interaction effects of sex in combination with stress and SOC were found in association with depression and mental wellbeing. Associations were strongest for girls. Conclusion: The findings provided support for the significant role of SOC as a coping resource, especially in relation to adolescents’ mental health; weaker associations were found with subjective health complains and self-rated health. The findings also mainly supported a compensatory role of SOC on the association between stress and health during adolescence.

scholarly journals Well Being of Older Gay and Bisexual Men and Women in England: Results of a Cross-Sectional Population Based Study

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Grabovac ◽  
L Smith ◽  
D T McDermott ◽  
S Stefanac ◽  
L Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Older People ◽  
Sexual Satisfaction ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Satisfaction With Life Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
And Bisexual

Abstract Background Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) older people are an under-represented population in research, with limited research noting more depression, loneliness, rejection, overall poorer health and well-being outcomes. Our study compared well-being, defined as quality of life (QOL), life satisfaction, sexual satisfaction, and depression, among LGB people with their heterosexual peers’. Methods Cross-sectional data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging, collected 2012-2013. A total of 5691 participants were included in the analysis, with 326 (5.7%) self-identifying as LGB. We used CASP-19 questionnaire for well-being; the Satisfaction with Life Scale for life satisfaction; and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale for depressive symptoms. The question “During the past three months, how satisfied have you been with your overall sex life?” was used for sexual satisfaction. T-test and chi-square tests were used for differences in sociodemographic characteristics between LGB and heterosexual participants. Regression models were used to test associations between sexual orientation and well-being outcomes. Results LGB participants reported significantly lower mean quality of life and life satisfaction, and had significantly lower odds of reporting satisfaction with their overall sex life and higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms in unadjusted models. After adjustment for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, there remained significant differences between groups in mean QOL scores (B= -0.96, 95% [CI] -1.87 to -0.06) and odds of sexual satisfaction (OR = 0.56, 95% CI 0.38-0.82). Conclusions LGB older people report lower quality of life and lower sexual satisfaction than their heterosexual counterparts, possibly associated with experiencing lifelong social discrimination. Main message: Older lesbian, gay and bisexual people in England report significantly lower QOL and sexual satisfaction in comparison to heterosexual counterparts.

Direct costs associated with depressive symptoms in late life: a 4.5-year prospective study

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 292-302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Luppa ◽  
Hans-Helmut König ◽  
Dirk Heider ◽  
Hanna Leicht ◽  
Tom Motzek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Home Care ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Service Use ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Geriatric Depression Scale ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Direct Costs ◽  
Cross Sectional

ABSTRACTBackground: Depression in old age is common. Only few studies examined the association of depressive symptoms and direct costs in the elderly in a cross-sectional way. This study aims to investigate prospectively health service use and direct costs over a course of 4.5 years considering also different courses of depressive symptomatology.Methods: 305 primary care patients aged 75+ were assessed face-to-face regarding depressive symptoms (Geriatric Depression Scale), and service use and costs at baseline and 4.5 years later. Resource utilization was monetarily valued using 2004/2005 prices. The association of baseline factors and direct costs after 4.5 years was analyzed by multivariate linear regression.Results: Mean annual direct costs of depressed individuals at baseline and follow-up were almost one-third higher than of non-depressed, and highest for individuals with chronic depressive symptoms. Most relevant cost drivers were costs for inpatient care, pharmaceuticals, and home care. Costs for home care increased at most in individuals with chronic depressive symptoms. Baseline variables that were associated with direct costs after 4.5 years were number of medications as a measure of comorbidity, age, gender, and depressive symptoms.Conclusions: Presence and persistence of depressive symptoms in old age seems to be associated with future direct costs even after adjustment for comorbidity. The findings deign a look to the potential economic consequences of depressive symptoms in the elderly for the healthcare system in the future.

scholarly journals Relationship between Depressive Symptoms, Personality, and Binge Drinking among University Students in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Manuel Herrero-Montes ◽  
Cristina Alonso-Blanco ◽  
María Paz-Zulueta ◽  
Amada Pellico-López ◽  
Laura Ruiz-Azcona ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
University Students ◽  
Binge Drinking ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Personality Factors ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Neo Five Factor Inventory ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Binge drinking (BD) is a common practice among college students. Alcohol consumption has been related to depressive symptoms and certain personality factors, although less is known about the relationship of these variables with BD. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of BD with depressive symptoms and personality in university students. We performed a cross-sectional study among students (aged 18–30 years) enrolled in the academic year 2018–2019 at the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Cantabria (Spain). Sociodemographic, academic, and alcohol and other drug use information was collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. The Beck Depression Inventory-II was used to measure depressive symptomatology and the Neo Five-Factor Inventory was used for personality. A total of 142 participants were included, 88.03% of which were women. Up to 38.03% were classified as BD. Concerning depressive symptoms, 7.41% of BD were at the moderate-severe level compared to 3.41% of non-BD (p = 0.7096). Regarding personality, the median score for extraversion of BD was 35 (Q1 = 29, Q3 = 40), 32 (Q1 = 28, Q3 = 36) in non-BD (p = 0.0062), conscientiousness scored 34 (Q1 = 30.5, Q3 = 38) points in non-BD, 31.50 (Q1 = 27, Q3 = 37) in BD (p = 0.0224). In conclusion, BD students have higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of responsibility than non-BD students. No significant differences were found between the level of depressive symptomatology between BD and non-BD students.

scholarly journals Associations Between Positive Mental Wellbeing and Depressive Symptoms in Australian Adolescents

2017 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinne Zadow ◽  
Stephen Houghton ◽  
Simon C. Hunter ◽  
Michael Rosenberg ◽  
Lisa Wood
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Symptoms Of Depression ◽  
Path Analyses ◽  
Symptom Scores ◽  
Highly Correlated

This study examined the association and directionality of effect between mental wellbeing and depressive symptoms in Australian adolescents. Data were collected on two occasions 21 months apart. At Time 1, 1,762 10- to 14-year-old adolescents from a range of socio-economic status areas participated. At Time 2 (T2), 1,575 participated again. On both occasions, the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) and the Children's Depression Inventory 2 (CDI 2) were administered via online survey. Cross-lagged, longitudinal path analyses demonstrated a negative association between earlier symptoms of depression and later positive mental wellbeing, and that the reverse was also true, though weaker. The model accounted for 20% of the variance in males’ T2 CDI 2 depressive symptom scores (26% for females) and 21% of the variance in males’ T2 SWEMWBS mental wellbeing scores (23% for females). Depressive symptomatology and mental wellbeing were highly correlated, but symptoms of depression were more strongly associated with later mental wellbeing than vice versa. This has implications for educational psychologists, teachers, health professionals, and policy makers seeking to reduce depressive symptoms or promote mental wellbeing. Focusing solely on the promotion of mental wellbeing, without intervening to reduce symptoms of depression, may limit the potential outcomes that might be achieved.

First-generation versus second-generation antipsychotic drugs for depression in schizophrenia

2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (S1) ◽  
pp. s245-s245
Author(s):  
M. Corbo ◽  
T. Acciavatti ◽  
S. Marini ◽  
E. Cinosi ◽  
L. Di Tizio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Symptomatology ◽  
Social Performance ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Symptom Scale ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Schizophrenic Patients ◽  
Multiple Variables

IntroductionA certain degree of depressive symptoms is common in schizophrenic patients. The assessment and treatment of depressive symptoms in schizophrenia is clinically challenging.ObjectivesWe conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate the depressive dimension of schizophrenic patients.AimsThe aim was to evaluate the effect of pharmacotherapy on depressive symptomatology.MethodsThirty-four outpatients (18-65 years old) with stable schizophrenia in monotherapy with FGAs or SGAs. We evaluated: depressive symptoms with Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia; positive and negative symptoms (with Positive and Negative Symptom Scale); neurocognition (with Matrics Cognitive Consensus Battery); social cognition (with Facial Emotional Identification Test); social functioning (with Personal and Social Performance Scale and with UCSD Performance-based Skills Assessment). Collected data underwent statistical analyses.ResultsA SGAs therapy was associated with: lower depressive symptoms (mean SGAs group = 4.0; mean FGAs group = 7.86, P < 0.05); lower mean positive symptoms (mean SGAs group = 12.65; mean FGAs group = 17.43, P < 0.05); lower negative symptoms (mean SGAs group = 21.35; mean FGAs group = 29.07, P < 0.05); lower scores on the PANSS-total (mean SGAs group = 71.05; mean FGAs group = 91.86, P < 0.01). After correction for multiple variables, the SGAs group still had significantly lower values towards the FGAs group (P < 0.05).ConclusionsOur study support the notion that switch from a FGA to a SGA could be a relatively simple first-step for the treatment of this condition. Atypical antipsychotics might exercise antidepressant effects with different potential mechanism including: remission of a FGA-induced depression and action on of 5-hydroxytryptamine, dopamine [other than postsynaptic D2], and α1-noradrenergic receptor sites.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

scholarly journals Psychosocial and physical factors associated with depression in older adults living in studio apartments: A cross-sectional study of a multi-ethnic Asian population

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 243-251
Author(s):  
Grace Sum ◽  
Yun Ru Tan ◽  
Song-Iee Hong ◽  
Gerald Choon-Huat Koh
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Life Satisfaction ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Chronic Conditions ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Exercise Behaviour

Background: There is a rapidly ageing population globally, leading to a rise in subsidised public housing in many countries for older adults. According to the World Health Organisation, depression is the most prevalent mental disorder in older adults. There is a gap in literature on the factors associated with depression in those residing in studio apartments for older adults, characterised by small living spaces and isolated community settings. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine the associations between socio-demographic variables, social support, self-perceived health and mental status, life satisfaction, exercise, physical functioning, chronic conditions, and the use of eldercare services, with depressive symptoms. Methods: We utilised a cross-sectional study of older adults aged ⩾55 years residing in Singapore’s studio apartments. Multivariable logistic regression was applied. Results: Widowhood was associated with depressive symptoms, compared to being married or having a domestic partner (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.70, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.01 to 2.86). Odds of depressive symptoms were associated with difficulty bathing and showering (AOR = 3.74, 95% CI = 1.06 to 13.21). Depressive symptoms were associated with cataract (AOR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.01 to 2.77) and urinary tract disorder (AOR = 4.70, 95% CI = 1.21 to 18.26). There were dose-response relationships between higher odds of depressive symptoms and poorer social support, self-perceived mental health, life satisfaction, and exercise behaviour ( p for trend < 0.001). Conclusion: Factors including widowhood, physical functioning difficulty, chronic conditions, low social support, low self-perceived mental health, poor life satisfaction, and lack of exercise behaviour, were associated with depressive symptoms in older adults residing in studio apartments. More attention is needed to care for the psychosocial and physical needs of older adults in studio apartments.

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