[Relationship between self-rated filial piety and depressive symptoms among the elderly].

Objective: To examine the association between self-rated filial piety and depression among the elderly, in order to provide evidence for improving the intervention programs on mental health in the elderly.

Methods: Descriptive, correlative and multiple logistic regression models were used to analyze the elderly aged 60 years or over relationship between self-rated filial piety and depressive symptoms. Source of data was from the 2010 Sample Survey of the Aged Population in Urban/Rural China (n = 18 234).

Results: Twenty-two point five zero and 1.66% of the respondents reported having had depression with poor self-rated filial piety. Findings from multiple logistic regression showed that poor self-rated filial piety was associated with higher risk of depression when comparing to those under 'so-so self-rated filial piety' (OR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.71-2.07) or good self-rated filial piety (OR = 3.15, 95% CI: 2.41-4.12) among the elderly, after adjusting for factors related to socio-demographic and familiar characteristics.

Conclusion: Poor self-rated filial piety was associated with depression among the elderly. Programs including support to the elderly and reinforcing publicity on filial piety plus intervention for the elderly with poor self-rated filial piety should be implemented to protect the mental health in the elderly.