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Patterns and correlates of major depression in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study of 0.5 million men and women.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Chen, Y; Bennett, D; Clarke, R; Guo, Y; Yu, C; Bian, Z; Ma, L; Huang, Y; Sun, Q; Zhang, N; Zheng, X; Chen, J; Peto, R; Kendler, KS; Li, L; Chen, Z
Published in: Psychol Med
April 2017

BACKGROUND: Worldwide 350 million people suffer from major depression, with the majority of cases occurring in low- and middle-income countries. We examined the patterns, correlates and care-seeking behaviour of adults suffering from major depressive episode (MDE) in China. METHOD: A nationwide study recruited 512 891 adults aged 30-79 years from 10 provinces across China during 2004-2008. The 12-month prevalence of MDE was assessed by the Modified Composite International Diagnostic Interview-short form. Logistic regression yielded adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of MDE associated with socio-economic, lifestyle and health-related factors and major stressful life events. RESULTS: Overall, 0.7% of participants had MDE and a further 2.4% had major depressive symptoms. Stressful life events were strongly associated with MDE [adjusted OR 14.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 13.7-15.7], with a dose-response relationship with the number of such events experienced. Family conflict had the highest OR for MDE (18.9, 95% CI 16.8-21.2) among the 10 stressful life events. The risk of MDE was also positively associated with rural residency (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.4-1.7), low income (OR 2.3, 95% CI 2.1-2.4), living alone (OR 2.6, 95% CI 2.3-3.0), smoking (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.3-1.6) and certain other mental disorders (e.g. anxiety, phobia). Similar, albeit weaker, associations were observed with depressive symptoms. Among those with MDE, about 15% sought medical help or took psychiatric medication, 15% reported having suicidal ideation and 6% reported attempting suicide. CONCLUSIONS: Among Chinese adults, the patterns and correlates of MDE were generally consistent with those observed in the West. The low rates of seeking professional help and treatment highlight the great gap in mental health services in China.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

Psychol Med

DOI

EISSN

1469-8978

Publication Date

April 2017

Volume

47

Issue

5

Start / End Page

958 / 970

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress, Psychological
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Psychiatry
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Family Conflict
  • Depressive Disorder, Major
 

Citation

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ICMJE
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Chen, Y., Bennett, D., Clarke, R., Guo, Y., Yu, C., Bian, Z., … Chen, Z. (2017). Patterns and correlates of major depression in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study of 0.5 million men and women. Psychol Med, 47(5), 958–970. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291716002889
Chen, Y., D. Bennett, R. Clarke, Y. Guo, C. Yu, Z. Bian, L. Ma, et al. “Patterns and correlates of major depression in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study of 0.5 million men and women.Psychol Med 47, no. 5 (April 2017): 958–70. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291716002889.
Chen Y, Bennett D, Clarke R, Guo Y, Yu C, Bian Z, et al. Patterns and correlates of major depression in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study of 0.5 million men and women. Psychol Med. 2017 Apr;47(5):958–70.
Chen, Y., et al. “Patterns and correlates of major depression in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study of 0.5 million men and women.Psychol Med, vol. 47, no. 5, Apr. 2017, pp. 958–70. Pubmed, doi:10.1017/S0033291716002889.
Chen Y, Bennett D, Clarke R, Guo Y, Yu C, Bian Z, Ma L, Huang Y, Sun Q, Zhang N, Zheng X, Chen J, Peto R, Kendler KS, Li L, Chen Z. Patterns and correlates of major depression in Chinese adults: a cross-sectional study of 0.5 million men and women. Psychol Med. 2017 Apr;47(5):958–970.
Journal cover image

Published In

Psychol Med

DOI

EISSN

1469-8978

Publication Date

April 2017

Volume

47

Issue

5

Start / End Page

958 / 970

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Stress, Psychological
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Psychiatry
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Middle Aged
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Female
  • Family Conflict
  • Depressive Disorder, Major