Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal study
ObjectiveAs a result of the aging of the world population, a high number of older adults lose their children during their lifetime. Depression due to child bereavement is a significant psychological problem. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the trajectories of depressive symptoms associated...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1548256/full |
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| author | Li Chen Li Chen Zhangyi Wang Qiaoyan Wu Xiaochun Tang |
| author_facet | Li Chen Li Chen Zhangyi Wang Qiaoyan Wu Xiaochun Tang |
| author_sort | Li Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | ObjectiveAs a result of the aging of the world population, a high number of older adults lose their children during their lifetime. Depression due to child bereavement is a significant psychological problem. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the trajectories of depressive symptoms associated with child bereavement among older adults in China and determine the influencing factors.MethodsIn this study, data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used as the longitudinal data, and 284 women and 117 men aged over 60 years were included. A latent growth mixture model was used to identify trajectory patterns in depression due to child bereavement over time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors.ResultsFour trajectory patterns of depressive symptoms associated with child bereavement were identified: a low depression rapidly increasing group (12.0%), a high depression rapidly declining group (12.1%), a high depression slowly increasing group (23.1%), and a low depression stable group (52.8%). The findings of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residence, sleep status, satisfaction with life, and self-report of health were related to the trajectory patterns of depressive symptoms among the participants.ConclusionThis study revealed heterogeneity in changes in depressive symptoms among older adults with child bereavement in China. The government and medical institutions should consider these trajectory patterns of depression and adopt individualized support measures based on the characteristics of different groups. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-16561048036e4e788fee43cb9c360f7e |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-16561048036e4e788fee43cb9c360f7e2025-08-20T02:56:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-05-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15482561548256Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal studyLi Chen0Li Chen1Zhangyi Wang2Qiaoyan Wu3Xiaochun Tang4School of Nursing, Hunan Normal University & Affiliated Hengyang Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Kiang Wu Nursing College of Macao, Macao, Macao SAR, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Hunan Normal University & Affiliated Hengyang Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Hunan Normal University & Affiliated Hengyang Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaSchool of Nursing, Hunan Normal University & Affiliated Hengyang Central Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, ChinaObjectiveAs a result of the aging of the world population, a high number of older adults lose their children during their lifetime. Depression due to child bereavement is a significant psychological problem. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the trajectories of depressive symptoms associated with child bereavement among older adults in China and determine the influencing factors.MethodsIn this study, data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study were used as the longitudinal data, and 284 women and 117 men aged over 60 years were included. A latent growth mixture model was used to identify trajectory patterns in depression due to child bereavement over time. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors.ResultsFour trajectory patterns of depressive symptoms associated with child bereavement were identified: a low depression rapidly increasing group (12.0%), a high depression rapidly declining group (12.1%), a high depression slowly increasing group (23.1%), and a low depression stable group (52.8%). The findings of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that residence, sleep status, satisfaction with life, and self-report of health were related to the trajectory patterns of depressive symptoms among the participants.ConclusionThis study revealed heterogeneity in changes in depressive symptoms among older adults with child bereavement in China. The government and medical institutions should consider these trajectory patterns of depression and adopt individualized support measures based on the characteristics of different groups.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1548256/fullchild bereavementdepressive symptomsdevelopmental trajectorylatent growth mixture modelolder adults |
| spellingShingle | Li Chen Li Chen Zhangyi Wang Qiaoyan Wu Xiaochun Tang Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal study Frontiers in Public Health child bereavement depressive symptoms developmental trajectory latent growth mixture model older adults |
| title | Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal study |
| title_full | Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal study |
| title_fullStr | Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal study |
| title_short | Trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in China: a 5-year longitudinal study |
| title_sort | trajectory patterns and influencing factors of depression due to child bereavement among older adults in china a 5 year longitudinal study |
| topic | child bereavement depressive symptoms developmental trajectory latent growth mixture model older adults |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1548256/full |
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