Physical function, ADL, and depressive symptoms in Chinese elderly: Evidence from the CHARLS

Abstract

BackgroundDepressive symptoms are a serious public health problem that affects the mental health of older adults. However, current knowledge of the association between ADL disability and physical dysfunction and depressive symptoms in Chinese adults is insufficient. We intend to analyze the association between physical function, ADL, and depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults.MethodsThe data obtained from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey (2015 and 2018) (CHARLS). This includes 3,431 in 2015 and 3,258 in 2018 over the age of 60. Comparing 2015 and 2018 data, multivariate logistic regression models were used to explore the relationship between physical function, ADL, and depressive symptoms in urban and rural older adults, adjusting for sociodemographic factors associated with depression in older adults.ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms among older adults in China was 33.8 percent in 2015 and 50.6 percent in 2018. In baseline data from 2015 and 2018, residence, gender, marital status, drinking, physical function, ADL, and self-rated health were all found to be significantly associated with depressive symptoms in older adults. The differences in physical function, ADL and depressive symptoms among older adults in 2015 and 2018 were further analyzed based on urban and rural stratification. Both physical dysfunction and ADL disability were significantly associated with depressive symptoms in rural older adults in 2015 and 2018. And in urban areas, ADL was found to be significantly associated with depressive symptoms in urban older adults. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that ADL disability was significantly associated with depressive symptoms among older adults in both urban and rural areas. Physical dysfunction was only significant in rural areas with depressive symptoms. The alpha level was instead set to 0.05 for all statistical tests.ConclusionRural, female, 60–70 years of age, primary school or below, married, non-smoking, non-drinking, physical dysfunction, ADL disability and self-rated poor health make-up a higher proportion of depressed older adults. ADL disability and physical dysfunction were more likely to be associated with depressive symptoms in rural Chinese older adults. Therefore, the physical and mental health of rural elderly should be of concern. The rural older adults should receive additional support from the government and society.

Physical Exercise Transforms the Topography and Increases the Invulnerability of the Symptom Network of Depression–Anxiety in the Elderly

“…Previous study indicated that activities of daily living had a significant impact on depression and anxiety in the elderly (Yan et al. 2023). It is possible that activities of daily living may affect the interactions between symptoms, thereby altering the bridge connections of certain nodes.…”

“…Specifically, Zhang, Wang, et al exclusively focused on disabled elderly individuals, while our study included all the elderly in the dataset, making the activities of daily living a crucial factor distinguishing between the two studies. Previous study indicated that activities of daily living had a significant impact on depression and anxiety in the elderly (Yan et al 2023). It is possible that activities of daily living may affect the interactions between symptoms, thereby altering the bridge connections of certain nodes.…”

Can Skip-generation Caregiving Improve the Quality of Life for the Elderly?

“…Firstly, the degree of depression is selected as a measure of the psychological health status of elderly people. CHARLS survey utilizes the CESD-10 scale to measure symptoms of depression [30], consisting of 10 items each rated between 0-3 according to the frequency of the symptoms experienced. A higher total score indicates more severe depressive symptoms, with scores of 10 or above classi ed as indicative of depressive symptoms [31].…”

The association between the Short Physical Performance Battery and longitudinal trajectories of depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults

“…The existing literature has demonstrated a correlation between the daily activity capacity of Chinese elderly individuals and depressive symptoms. 18 Therefore, the present study incorporates the variable of daily activity capacity as a control to minimize biases. In the CHARLS, the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) scale is employed to assess disabilities in the elderly.…”