Is Current Depressive Symptoms Associated with the Perception of Poor Neighborhood Quality in Childhood? A Population-based Study

Abstract

Background Elderly depressive symptoms are an increasing important issue worldwide. Poor neighborhood quality in childhood may increase the risk of depressive symptoms in old age from the perspective of life span theory. The aims of this study were to examine the association between the perception of neighborhood quality during childhood and depressive symptoms in older age.Methods Data was taken from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), and a total of 7207 individuals aged 60 years or older were included. Robust multivariable linear regression analysis was applied to estimate the association between the perception of childhood community quality and depressive symptoms, and to examine the interaction effects of education and childhood community quality on depressive symptoms.Results This study suggested that individuals who perceived the childhood community as unsafe, deficient in close relationship, unclean demonstrated higher risk in suffering from depression. Furthermore, a significant gender difference has been found. However, no significant interaction effect of education revealed.Conclusion This study proposed that the perception of neighborhood quality during childhood is an important factor associated with depressive symptoms in old age. We urge that older adults’ mental health issues could be examined from a childhood neighborhood quality perspective, and call for further steps to promote neighborhood quality lived by Chinese citizens.