Prevalence, role impairment, and mental health service utilization of depressive disorders among community-dwelling older adults in China - Takeaways - MDSpire
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The Frequency, Impact on Daily Functioning, and Mental Health Service Engagement of Depression in Older Adults Living in the Community in China

  • By

  • Dandan Wang

  • Xiaofei Hou

  • Zhaorui Liu

  • Yueqin Huang

  • Shuiyuan Xiao

  • Lingjiang Li

  • Tingting Zhang

  • Jie Yan

  • Yaqin Yu

  • Xiufeng Xu

  • Zhizhong Wang

  • Yifeng Xu

  • Tao Li

  • Xiangdong Xu

  • Limin Wang

  • Yongping Yan

  • Minghui Li

  • Guangming Xu

  • Huifang Yin

  • September 3, 2026

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  • 1

    The lifetime prevalence of depressive disorders among community-dwelling older adults in China is 7.9%, with a 12-month prevalence of 4.1%.

  • 2

    Having at least three physical illnesses significantly increases the odds of depressive disorders in older adults, with an odds ratio of 11.4.

  • 3

    Comorbid anxiety and substance use disorders are also associated with higher odds of depression, with odds ratios of 8.4 and 8.9, respectively.

  • 4

    Role impairment due to depressive disorders affects various aspects of life, including household duties (67.9%) and work (73.2%).

  • 5

    Only 11.3% of older adults diagnosed with depressive disorders utilized mental health services in the past 12 months.

Original Source(s)

Prevalence, role impairment, and mental health service utilization of depressive disorders among community-dwelling older adults in China

  • by Dandan Wang, Xiaofei Hou, Zhaorui Liu, Yueqin Huang, Shuiyuan Xiao, Lingjiang Li, Tingting Zhang, Jie Yan, Yaqin Yu, Xiufeng Xu, Zhizhong Wang, Yifeng Xu, Tao Li, Xiangdong Xu, Limin Wang, Yongping Yan, Minghui Li, Guangming Xu, Huifang Yin

  • September 3, 2026

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