Characteristics of depressive symptoms and related factors in Chinese veterans

Objective To investigate the characteristics of depressive symptoms and related factors in Chinese veterans. Methods A total of 2 400 veterans were selected by stratified sampling and convenient sampling from 12 cities in Chinese 3 economic belts. Self-designed general questionnaire and Patients' Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to investigate their depressive symptoms. Nonparametric test, Pearson Chi-square test and Binary logistic regression analysis were employed to conduct statistical analysis. Results ① The incidence of depression was 39.0% in the subjected Chinese veterans, with mild depression accounting for 22.1%, moderate depression for 8.5%, and severe depression for 8.3%. ②The incidence and score of depressive symptoms were higher in female, living in urban, younger than 25 years and with illness than the male, living in rural areas and healthy participants (P < 0.01). Those with educational level less than junior middle school and the divorced had statistically higher incidence and score of depressive symptoms than those with college or above educational level, and the unmarried and married (P < 0.05). The incidence of depression was higher in those with household per capita disposable annual income ≤7 400 Yuan than those of >7 400~16 000 Yuan (P < 0.01), and the score of workers was higher than leaders in enterprises and public institutions (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the composition ratio of depressive symptoms at different levels in all demographic information except per capita GDP. ③The incidence and score of depressive symptoms were higher in servicing in special military environment and having seriously disease during service than those not servicing in special military environment and not having disease during serving. The incidence and score of depressive symptoms were higher in serving for 30 years or longer, rocket army, war experience, collective unified released from servicing, and demobilization than those in servicing less than 8 years, army, not being in war, full retirement and retirement (P < 0.05). There were significant differences in the composition ratio of depression symptoms at different levels in all military occupation except getting awards and promoting service rank levels (P < 0.05). ④ Living in areas with high per capita GDP, female, 25~30 years old, being divorced, having seriously disease, rocket army, servicing in special military environment, having severe diseases during service and demobilization were risk factors for the incidence of depression (P < 0.05); College and above educational level, household per capita disposable income of >7 400~14 000 Yuan and >25 000~39 000 Yuan were protective factors (P < 0.05). Conclusion The incidence of depression in Chinese veterans is affected by demographic factors (sex, age and marital status) and military serving experience (years of service and military occupation). Special attention should be paid to those with demobilization and collective ex-servicemen.