Progress of Depressive Symptoms in Middle-Aged and Elderly Parents After Losing Their Child

A Longitudinal Study Based on China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study

Bibliographic Data

ID13630275
AuthorsPenghao Fan (0009-0006-5112-0004, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University), Hongyan Xu (0000-0002-4916-2567, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University), Hongying Li (0009-0005-9926-7200, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University), Chao Rong (0000-0001-5516-6102, Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, corresponding author)
Year2025
Pages302228251333842-302228251333842
Publication date2025-04-14
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueOMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0030-2228 • E-ISSN: 1541-3764
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00302228251333842
PMID40223476
OpenAlexW4409440636
LanguageEN
References cited32

The impact of child loss on the progression of depressive symptoms has not been extensively studied within the context of Chinese culture. Utilizing the five-phase follow-up data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, this study evaluated the depressive symptoms of 6303 eligible participants. Baseline analysis revealed a significant correlation between child mortality and the depressive status of the participants ( p p = .006). This study also employed a restricted cubic spline function to account for the specificity of parents' age at the time of the child's death and their risk of depression. The findings suggest the necessity of enhancing psychological support for older parents who have experienced the loss of a child

China · Cognition · Context (archaeology · Depression (economics · Depressive symptoms · Developmental psychology · Longitudinal data · Longitudinal study · Mental health · Psychiatry · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Family Support in Illness · Grief, Bereavement, and Mental Health · Intergenerational Family Dynamics and Caregiving · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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