Multimorbidity and Mental Health

The Role of Gender among Disease-Causing Poverty, Rural, Aged Households in China

Bibliographic Data

ID15512798
AuthorsJiao Chen (0000-0001-5737-0561, Shandong University), Chen Jiao (0000-0003-1442-2493, Shandong University), Anli Leng (0000-0002-6775-2085, Shandong University), Stephen Nichola (0000-0001-6770-7105, Tianjin Normal University), Elizabeth Maitland (0000-0003-1551-4787, University of Liverpool), Jian Wang (0000-0001-6128-1254, Wuhan University), Qinfeng Zhao (0000-0001-8435-409X, Shandong University), Lizheng Xu (0000-0002-2881-0473, UNSW Sydney), Chaofan Gong (0000-0001-9598-0504, Stanford University, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume17
Issue23
Pages8855-8855
Publication date2020-11-28
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph17238855
PMID33260787
OpenAlexW3109728987
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited35

(1) Background: The association between multimorbidity and mental health is well established. However, the role of gender in different populations remains unclear. Currently, China is facing an increased prevalence of multimorbidity, especially in its disease-causing poverty population. The present study explores the gender-based differences in the relationship between multimorbidity and mental health using data from the rural, disease-causing poverty, older-age population in Shandong province, China, as a case study. (2) Methods: The data were obtained from the survey on the health and welfare of disease-causing poverty households in rural Shandong province. We identified 936 rural participants who were over 60 years old from disease-causing poverty households. The mental health status was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) instrument. Using a multivariable linear regression model, including the interaction of gender and multimorbidity, gender differences in the association between multimorbidity and mental health were explored. (3) Results: Multimorbidity was a serious health problem in rural, disease-causing poverty, older-age households, with the prevalence of multimorbidity estimated as 40% for women and 35.4% for men. There was a strong association between multimorbidity and mental health, which was moderated by gender. Women had higher K10 scores than men, and the mean K10 score was highest in women with three or more chronic diseases. Compared with men, women with multimorbidity had a higher risk of mental health problems. (4) Conclusions: The prevalence of multimorbidity in older-age rural disease-causing poverty subpopulations is a severe public health problem in China. The association between multimorbidity and mental health differed by gender, where multimorbid women suffered an increased mental health risk compared with men. Gender differences should be addressed when delivering effective physical and mental healthcare support to disease-causing poverty, older-age, rural households

China · Disease · Environmental health · Geography · Mental health · Population · Poverty · Psychiatry · Public health · Rural area · Chronic Disease Management Strategies · Demography · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Gerontology

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