Depression in older Chinese migrants to Auckland

  1. Max W. Abbott*,
  2. Sai Wong,
  3. Lynne C. Giles,
  4. Sue Wong,
  5. Wilson Young,
  6. Ming Au

Article first published online: 23 JUL 2003

DOI: 10.1046/j.1440-1614.2003.01212.x

Issue

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry

Volume 37, Issue 4, pages 445–451, August 2003

Additional Information

How to Cite

Abbott, M. W., Wong, S., Giles, L. C., Wong, S., Young, W. and Au, M. (2003), Depression in older Chinese migrants to Auckland. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 37: 445–451. doi: 10.1046/j.1440-1614.2003.01212.x

Author Information

  1. Max W. Abbott, Dean and Professor of Psychology and Public Health (­Correspondence); Lynne C Giles, Biostatistician Faculty of Health, Auckland University of Technology, Private Bag 92006, Auckland, New Zealand. Email: max.abbott@aut.ac.nz Sai Wong, Consultant Psychiatrist; Sue Wong, Counsellor Chinese Mental Health Consultation Services, Auckland, New Zealand Wilson Young, Medical Officer of Health Auckland Healthcare, Auckland, New Zealand Ming Au, Consultant Psychiatrist South Auckland Health, Auckland, New Zealand

*Max W. Abbott, Dean and Professor of Psychology and Public Health (­Correspondence)

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 23 JUL 2003
  2. Article first published online: 23 JUL 2003
  3. Received 4 June 2002; second revision 16 May 2003; accepted 22 May 2003.

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Keywords:

  • ageing;
  • depression;
  • migrants;
  • older Chinese people.

Objective:  This study was conducted to identify risk factors for depressive symptomatology among older Chinese migrants.

Method:  One hundred and sixty-two Chinese migrants aged 55 years or older, living in the community and recruited via Chinese community organizations and general practitioners, were interviewed using a Chinese version of the Geriatric Depression Scale and measures of stressful life events, morbid conditions, self-rated health, acculturation, social support and service utilization.

Result:  Twenty-six percent of participants met the criteria for depressive symptomatology. No recent migrants showed symptoms of depression. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that lower emotional support, greater number of visits to a doctor, difficulties in accessing health services and low New Zealand cultural orientation increased the risk of showing symptoms of depression.

Conclusion:  Significant numbers of older Chinese migrants appear to be depressed or at risk for depression and, while participants with depressive symptoms consulted general practitioners more than their counterparts without such symptoms, they reported greater difficulty in accessing health services. The findings point to the need for further epidemio­logical study of this growing sector of the population and investigation of the nature of its engagement with health services. Social support and aspects of acculturation may play a significant role in preventing depression. This also requires further investigation.

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