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BMC Psychiatry
Published in: BMC Psychiatry 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Research article

An investigation of physical and mental health consequences among Chinese parents who lost their only child

Authors: Qianlan Yin, Zhilei Shang, Na Zhou, Lili Wu, Guangyu Liu, Xiaoqian Yu, Huaihui Zhang, Haidong Xue, Weizhi Liu

Published in: BMC Psychiatry | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The term “loss-of-only-child family” means that the only child in a family passed away or is disabled due to an accident or other events. The parents who cannot conceive or do not adopt another child, are known as Shidu parents in China. This study compares the physical and mental health of Shidu parents with those parents who have not experienced such loss.

Methods

The target group is comprised of parents being Shidu for more than 1 year (N = 95) and the control group is comprised of parents with a living child (N = 97) from the same area as the Shidu parents. Socio-demographic information and physical health outcomes were collected by the adapted questionnaires. PCL-C (PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version), CES-D (Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale) and GHQ-12 (General Health Questionnaire) were applied to evaluate the parents’ physical and mental status.

Results

Shidu parents have a higher risk of developing PTSD and depression, and suffer more severe psychiatric disorders compared to parents with a living child. The rate of PTSD in the Shidu group was up to 32.6% and the scores of PCL-C are much higher than the control group. The physical status of Shidu parents were much worse than that of the control group, characterized by higher morbidity of chronic diseases and more hospital visits.

Conclusions

Shidu parents have more severe mental health problems and a higher rate of chronic diseases than parents who have a living child. Loss of the only child is the most traumatic event for the parents, which is a serious and unique problem in Chinese society that deserves attention. More studies and support are desired to improve the physical and mental health of Shidu parents.
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Metadata
Title
An investigation of physical and mental health consequences among Chinese parents who lost their only child
Authors
Qianlan Yin
Zhilei Shang
Na Zhou
Lili Wu
Guangyu Liu
Xiaoqian Yu
Huaihui Zhang
Haidong Xue
Weizhi Liu
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Psychiatry / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1471-244X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-018-1621-2

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