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BMC Women's Health
Published in: BMC Women's Health 1/2015

Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Depression, social support and associated factors among women living in rural China: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Fengsu Hou, Catherine Cerulli, Marsha N Wittink, Eric D Caine, Peiyuan Qiu

Published in: BMC Women's Health | Issue 1/2015

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Abstract

Background

Few studies have focused on depression and social support in Eastern populations, especially women in rural China. Our research investigated depression among women in rural China, and studied the relationships between social support and depression.

Methods

We recruited women ages 16 years and older from north Sichuan. Participants completed socio-demographic measures, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and the Duke Social Support Index. The analysis method included descriptive statistics and logistic regression.

Results

The final sample included 1,898 participants with a mean age of 48.6 years, and the prevalence of significant depressive symptoms was 12.4%. Results suggest being unemployed, having poorer perceived health/economic status, and lower social support were positively associated with depression. Younger age and greater social support were negatively associated with depression.

Conclusions

This study provides insights on the psychological health of women in rural China and potential directions for future research. These issues are especially pertinent during this time of rapid economic transformation and outmigration in rural China.
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Metadata
Title
Depression, social support and associated factors among women living in rural China: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Fengsu Hou
Catherine Cerulli
Marsha N Wittink
Eric D Caine
Peiyuan Qiu
Publication date
01-12-2015
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Women's Health / Issue 1/2015
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6874
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-015-0180-7

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