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Depression Among the Elderly Chinese in Canada*

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 November 2010

Daniel W.L. Lai
Daniel W.L. Lai
Affiliation:
The University of Calgary
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Abstract

This research investigated the prevalence of depression among the elderly Chinese in Canada. The respondents totalled 96 randomly selected elderly Chinese living in Calgary. A 15-item Chinese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale was used as the depression measure. Results show that among the respondents, 9.4 per cent were mildly depressed and 11.5 per cent were moderately to severely depressed. The overall prevalence rate of depression in the elderly Chinese is higher than that of the general elderly population in Canada, but lower than that of the elderly Chinese in the United States. Findings from regression analysis show that having more illnesses, having lived in Canada longer, not knowing English, being younger in age, and having poor physical health are the significant predictors of depression in the elderly Chinese. The results indicate the mental health needs of this group of ethnic elderly. Other research and practice implications of the findings are also discussed in the paper.

Résumé

Cette recherche examine la prévalence de la dépression chez les Chinois(es) aîné(e)s du Canada. On a interrogé 96 Chinois(es) aîné(e)s choisi(e)s au hasard et vivant à Calgary. On a utilisé vine version chinoise en 15 points du Geriatric Depression Scale (échelle de l'évaluation de l'état dépressif des aîné(e)s) comme instrument de mesure. Les résultats indiquent que 9,4 pour 100 des personnes interrogées étaient légèrement déprimées et que 11,5 pour 100 étaient moyennement ou gravement déprimées. Le taux de prévalence général chez les Chinois(es) aîné(e)s est plus élevé que celui de l'ensemble de la population aînée du Canada et plus faible que celui des Chinois(es) aîné(e)s des États-Unis. Les résultats de l'analyse de régression font ressortir les principaux prédicteurs de la dépression de ce groupe de la population: la maladie, le fait d'habiter le Canada depuis longtemps, ne pas connaître l'anglais, être plus jeune, et avoir une mauvaise santé physique. Les résultats soulignent également les besoins du groupe sur le plan de la santé mentale. La recherche présente de plus d'autres éléments et les répercussions pratiques des résultats.

Keywords

Elderly ChineseDepressionMeasurementGDS.Chinois(es) aîné(e)sdépressionmesureGDS.
Type
Articles
Information
Canadian Journal on Aging / La Revue canadienne du vieillissement , Volume 19 , Issue 3 , Automne/Fall 2000 , pp. 409 - 429
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association on Gerontology 2000

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