title: The associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms in older adults: a community-based survey in rural China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the current study was to investigate the associations between family characteristics and depressive symptoms, and provide new evidence and recommendations for prevention and intervention in the depressive symptoms of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a cross-sectional survey conducted door-to-door, utilizing a sample of 1,317 individuals aged 60 years and above in rural China. The five family characteristic variables recorded were: living with spouse, living with descendant, support of family members, self-reported family economic status in the previous year, and family-related negative life events that occurred anytime in the past with a continuous psychological effect during the past 12 months. Gender, age, years of schooling, and self-rated physical health status were taken as potential confounders. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to examine independent effects on depressive symptoms.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In addition to the potential confounders, only family-related negative life events, support of family members, and self-reported family economic status had significant effects on depressive symptoms in older adults. Experiencing a family-related negative life event was the most significant variable (OR = 11.70, 95% CI: 7.72-17.73), the second was support of family members (OR = 6.93, 95% CI: 3.26-14.70), while family economic status was less important than support of family members (OR = 2.38, 95% CI: 1.08-5.25).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study, from the perspective of family characteristics on depressive symptoms in older adults, showed a strong correlation between being exposed to harmful family environments and depressive symptoms among the elderly. Efforts to address family risk factors and strengthen family cohesiveness deserve a higher priority, given the importance of these factors, compared with other efforts such as promoting economic development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Public Health School, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
authors.forename: Yanhong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gong
authors.forename: Xiaopiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Chaoping
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Guan
authors.forename: Zhiqing
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
mesh_terms: D000339:Affect; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002681:China; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000523:psychology*; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012424:Rural Population; D012931:Social Environment; D012933:Social Identification; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors