Mental Health Status and Influencing Factors of the Elderly in Ya’an Area After 5 years’ Lushan Earthquake

Abstract

Objective: To understand the mental health status and its influencing factors of the elderly in the disaster area 5 years after the Lushan earthquake. Methods: A total of 2,579 cases of Ya’an residents aged 60 years or above were selected by using cluster sampling method. From January to May 2019, self-compiled questionnaire for basic information of affected residents and 12 General Health Questionnaire were used to assess the mental health status of the elderly. Results: 2,561 (99.3%) valid samples were collected. The positive rate of mental health was 220 (8.6%) cases. The binary logistic regression analysis showed that in the city, no chronic diseases, no body pain, and self-rated health status good in last one month was the protective factor for mental health of the elderly. Age group 60 years and above was the risk factor. Conclusions: Five years after the Lushan earthquake, there is a certain degree of mental health problems in the elderly in the disaster area, and corresponding intervention measures should be formulated. In particular, the researchers should pay more attention to the mental health of the rural elderly who were with low income, young age, and chronic diseases (or pain).

Mental Health on Survivor of Natural Disaster: Literature Review

“…After exposure to natural disasters, elderly people have the potential to experience psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. Fear and sadness of earthquakes and negative economic events such as economic losses, reduced income, and life security can increase the risk of experiencing anxiety and depression in older people (Gao et al, 2023).…”

“…Furthermore, elderly people who do not have a partner, elderly people who live alone, divorced or middle-aged widows, elderly people without a partner and single residents have a higher potential for experiencing psychological health problems. In addition, lack of family care functions and emotional support, sleep quality, facing the problem of decreasing economic income, inappropriate retirement, and helping their children to take care of the next generation are also the main factors in deteriorating mental health conditions in the elderly (Gao et al, 2023)…”

“…This can increase the likelihood of experiencing symptoms of severe depression, anxiety and stress (Vujčić et al, 2021). Previous research by Gao et al (2023) states that older adults or the elderly often experience fear and sadness due to earthquakes. Many elderly people have problems with financial status and economic losses, such as property loss after a disaster.…”

“…Many elderly people have problems with financial status and economic losses, such as property loss after a disaster. This has a big influence on the mental health of the elderly, such as experiencing anxiety and depression (Gao et al, 2023).…”