Risk Factors for Depression in Older Adults in Beijing

Objective: Depression is a common mental disorder in older adults. We examined the prevalence and risk factors for depression in older adults in the Beijing area. Method: We used data from a cross-sectional survey conducted in July 2006 in Beijing. As part of the national survey for older Chinese adults, 2002 older adults were interviewed. The 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale was used to assess depression. Demographics as well as other personal information were also collected. Results: Among Beijing older adults, 13.01% were categorized as depressed. Prevalence rates of depression in rural and urban older adults were 26.63% and 10.79%, respectively. Poor economic status, high activities of daily living (ADL) score, poor physical health, impious offspring, and feeling old were important predictors of depression in older adults in Beijing. For the urban sample, poor economic status, poor physical health, high ADL score, and impious offspring were risk factors for depression. For the rural sample, depression was significantly associated with poor economic status and poor physical health. Conclusions: Depression is a common mood disorder among older adults in the Beijing area. Filial piety is a unique predictor for depression in older Chinese adults, compared with findings in Western cultures.