TY - JOUR PY - 2015// TI - Depression, social support and associated factors among women living in rural China: a cross-sectional study JO - BMC women's health A1 - Hou, Fengsu A1 - Cerulli, Catherine A1 - Wittink, Marsha N. A1 - Caine, Eric D. A1 - Qiu, Peiyuan SP - 28 EP - 28 VL - 15 IS - 1 N2 - 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.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 1472-6874 UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12905-015-0180-7 ID - ref1 ER -