Culture-related grief beliefs and social support influence depressive symptoms of Shidu parents in rural China. Issue 1 (1st January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhao, Shuang; Long, Meijun; Diao, Yucong; Ma, Hongfei; Liu, Minghui; Feng, Ziyi; Wang, Yang
• Is Part Of: European journal of psychotraumatology. Volume 12:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01-01
• Subjects: Shidu parents -- depressive symptoms -- grief beliefs -- perceived stigma -- social support -- rural China; Padres Shidu -- sintomas depresivos -- creencias de duelo -- estigma percibido -- apoyo social -- China rural; 失独父母 -- 抑郁症状 -- 哀伤信念 -- 歧视知觉 -- 社会支持 -- 中国农村; Post-traumatic stress disorder -- Periodicals; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic; Post-traumatic stress disorder; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Periodicals; Fulltext; Internet Resources; Periodicals; 616.8521
• DOI: 10.1080/20008198.2021.1945748
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2000-8198

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Parents who have lost their only child are known as Shidu parents in China. Losing an only child is an enormous tragedy for parents that can trigger severe depressive symptoms. Few studies have explored the influence of cultural beliefs and social support on depressive symptoms. Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between culture-related grief beliefs, social support and depressive symptoms among Shidu parents in rural China. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Sujiatun district of Shenyang, China. Data were collected from November 2019 to February 2020 from 228 rural Shidu parents. Questionnaires consisted of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scales (CES-D), the Culture-related Grief Beliefs of Shidu Parents Questionnaire (CBSQ), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), and demographic and bereavement-related information. Hierarchical multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the associations among culture-related grief beliefs, social support and depressive symptoms. Results: Of the 228 Shidu parents, 87.0% reported depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16). The mean age of the participants was 62.91 years, ranging from 50 to 86. Regression analysis indicated that parents' younger age, lower education level and debts were prominent risk factors for depressive symptoms. Perceived stigma (a subscale of CBSQ) was positively associated with depressive symptoms. Social support was negatively associated with depressive symptoms. Conclusions: Given the high prevalence of depressive symptoms in rural Shidu parents, there is a critical need to reduce perceived stigma and increase social support to alleviate depressive symptoms among Shidu parents in rural China. HIGHLIGHTS: 'Shidu parents' in China refers to parents who have lost their only child. The prevalence of depressive symptoms among Shidu parents is 87.0%. Reducing perceived stigma and increasing social support are essential to alleviate Shidu parents' depressive symptoms.