Childhood Adversity and Depression among Older Adults: Results from a Longitudinal Survey in China

Yue Li ¹ and Jiehua Lu ²

¹China Population and Development Research Center, Haidian district, Beijing, China

²Peking University, Haidian district, Beijing, China

Received September 20, 2018; Accepted January 08; 2019

ABSTRACT

This study examined the association of childhood adversity with depression or severity of depressive symptoms among Chinese older adults, using data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). The data is from a nationally representative sample of Chinese residents aged 45 or older and surveys of the sample population were conducted in 2011 and 2013; and individuals aged at 60 years or older, and interviewed for depressive symptom were included in this study. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that the likelihood of depression was significantly associated with poor parental mental status, physical abuse, and emotional abuse during childhood. Our study adds to research in the area of adverse childhood events and its effect on adult psychological and physical well-being.

KEYWORDS

Depression; childhood adversity; population aging

How to cite this article:

Li Y, Lu J. Childhood adversity and depression among older adults: evidence from a longitudinal survey in China. Glob Clin Transl Res. 2019; 1 (1):53-57. DOI:10.36316/gcatr.01.0007

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