中国老年人群抑郁特征与政策启示

The characteristics of elderly depression in China and policy implications

目的了解我国60岁及以上老年人群抑郁特征与变化趋势,为改善老年人心理健康水平提供依据。方法采用中国家庭追踪调查(CFPS)2016、2018与2020年三波次调查数据,应用8题简版流调中心抑郁量表(CES-D 8)对老年人抑郁特征与变化趋势进行分析。结果共得到3020例有效样本,其中男性1568(51.92%)人,女性1452(48.08%)人。分析结果显示在2016—2020年间老年人群抑郁评分呈逐年增长趋势(F=4.98,P<0.01)。女性老人抑郁评分均高于男性(t_(2016)=9.31,P<0.001;t_(2018)=9.36,P<0.001;t_(2020)=8.82,P<0.001),农村老人抑郁评分高于城市老人(t_(2016)=7.25,P<0.001;t_(2018)=7.93,P<0.001;t_(2020)=7.84,P<0.001),文盲老人抑郁评分高于非文盲老人(t_(2016)=-9.68,P<0.001;t_(2018)=-10.97,P<0.001;t_(2020)=-7.71,P<0.001),患慢性病老人抑郁评分高于未患慢性病老人(t_(2016)=-10.95,P<0.001;t_(2018)=-6.75,P<0.001;t_(2020)=-5.84,P<0.001),独居老人抑郁评分高于非独居老人(t_(2016)=-6.10,P<0.001;t_(2018)=-6.59,P<0.001;t_(2020)=-6.73,P<0.001)。结论我国老年人群抑郁问题逐年加重,女性、农村、文盲、患慢性病与独居老年人抑郁问题更为明显。降低老年人群抑郁风险,改善老年人心理健康水平,需重点关注女性、文盲、患慢性疾病等老年弱势人群。

Objective To explore the characteristics and changing trends of depression in the population aged 60 and above in China,and to provide basis for improving the mental health of the elderly.Methods Data from three waves of the China Family Panel Studies(CFPS)in 2016,2018,and 2020 were used for analysis.The 8-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CES-D 8)was applied to analyze the depressive characteristics of individuals aged 60 and above.Results A total of 3020 valid tracking samples were obtained,including 1568(51.92%)males and 1452(48.08%)females.The analysis results revealed a year-on-year increasing trend in depression scores among the elderly from 2016 to 2020(F=4.98,P<0.01).Female depression scores were consistently higher than male scores(t_(2016)=9.31,P<0.001;t_(2018)=9.36,P<0.001;t_(2020)=8.82,P<0.001).Rural elderly individuals had higher depression scores compared to their urban counterparts(t_(2016)=7.25,P<0.001;t_(2018)=7.93,P<0.001;t_(2020)=7.84,P<0.001).Depression scores were higher in illiterate elderly individuals compared to those who were not illiterate(t_(2016)=-9.68,P<0.001;t_(2018)=-10.97,P<0.001;t_(2020)=-7.71,P<0.001).Furthermore,elderly individuals with chronic diseases had higher depression scores than healthy elderly individuals(t_(2016)=-10.95,P<0.001;t_(2018)=-6.75,P<0.001;t_(2020)=-5.84,P<0.001),and those living alone had higher depression scores than those living with others(t_(2016)=-6.10,P<0.001;t_(2018)=-6.59,P<0.001;t_(2020)=-6.73,P<0.001).Conclusions The depression issues among the elderly in China are worsening year by year,with female,rural,illiterate,chronically ill,and solitary elderly individuals exhibiting more pronounced depressive problems.To reduce the risk of depression among the elderly and improve their mental health,it is crucial to focus on vulnerable groups such as women and illiterate individuals in the elderly population and those with chronic diseases.