Changes in income-related inequalities of depression prevalence in China: a longitudinal, population study

Abstract

Purpose This study aimed to measure the income-related inequality of depressive symptoms and its trends among middleaged and elderly people in China. Methods Data were extracted from the 2011 baseline and 2015 follow-up of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), a nationally representative survey for people aged 45 years and more. Depressive symptoms were evaluated with the Chinese version of the ten-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Five relative income levels were derived from ratios between the participants' annual per capita household expenditure, excluding medical expenditure, and the median PCE of their cities. The concentration curve and index were used to compare the magnitude of income-related inequality between 2 years. A logistic regression model was used to control the other socioeconomic factors. Results The prevalence of depression among middle-aged and elderly people in China decreased from 37.0% (5540 of 14,956 participants) in 2011 to 32.7% (5606 of 17,165) in 2015. However, the absolute value of the standardized concentration index increased from 0.005 to 0.028. Although the second lowest-income group had the greatest improvement in the decline of prevalence (5.7%, from 38.6 to 32.9%), the lowest-income group had only the minimal decline (2.4%, from 40.6 to 38.2%). In 2015, there were significant differences between the lowest-income group and other four groups while the differences among other four groups were not statistically significant. Conclusions The prevalence of depression among the middle-aged and elderly in China is declining, but the issue of incomerelated inequality has been exacerbated. The fairness of mental health deserves more attention.

Self‐reported vision impairment, vision correction, and depressive symptoms among middle‐aged and older Chinese: Findings from the China health and retirement longitudinal study

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Factors influencing cognitive reactivity among young adults at high risk for depression in China: a cross-sectional study

“…As Zeng and Jian reported [43], the prevalence of depression can be directly and indirectly affected by socio-economic status and inequality among different residential locations in China. Our study also found relationships between monthly household income, residential location, and CR with depression.…”

Factors influencing cognitive reactivity among young adults at high risk for depression in China: a cross-sectional study

“…As Zeng and Jian reported [42], the prevalence of depression can be directly and indirectly affected by socio-economic status and inequality among different residential locations in China. Our study also found relationships between monthly household income, residential location, and CR with depression.…”