Analysis of mental health status and its influencing factors of the elderly living in xi'an, China / 第二军医大学学报

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze the mental health status and its influencing factors in the elderly living in Xi'an communities, so as to bring forth countermeasures to improve their mental health. Methods Convenience sampling was used to select 310 residents aged 60 years or above from 2 communities in Xi'an, and the subjects were surveyed by a self-designed questionnaire. The survey included social demographic characteristics, social support, disability, chronicdisease costs, physical exercises, mental health problems and the coping methods. Univariate chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with mental health of the elderly. Results Questionnaires with uncompleted answersor suspected unreal answers were excluded. Totally 304 effective questionnaires were collected, with the effective rate being 98. 1%. The prevalence of mental disorderswas 27. 1 % in the present study. Chi-square tests showed that the chronicdisease costs, disability, social support and physical exercises were the influencing factors of the mental health status. Multivariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that medical insurance, chronicdisease costs, social support and physical exercises were important factors influencing themental health of the elderly. Conclusion It is important to emphasize the spiritual support for the aging population and the fading family support in China. We should improve the social support for the elderly and build up mental supporting services so as to improve their mental health.