A profile analysis of post-traumatic stress disorder and depressive symptoms among Chinese Shidu parents

Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2020 Jul 7;11(1):1766770. doi: 10.1080/20008198.2020.1766770.

Abstract
in English, Spanish, Chinese

Background: Due to the one-child policy implemented in China, most families have only one child. When parents experience the death of their only child, these parents receive the label 'Shidu parents'. Shidu is a major public health issue in China. However, the patterns of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptoms that are present in this population remain unclear.

Objective: This study aims to identify profiles of PTSD and depressive symptoms among Shidu parents and to explore the predictors of profile membership.

Methods: A total of 363 participants (M age = 61.5 years, SD = 7.5) were asked to complete questionnaires assessing PTSD, depressive symptoms, perceived social support, and demographic information. Latent profile analyses and multivariate logistic regressions were used.

Results: Three distinct profiles were identified: low (39.4%), moderate (32.8%), and high symptoms (27.8%). Parents who were younger and perceived lower levels of support from family and significant others were more likely to experience higher levels of PTSD and depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: These results indicate that the severity of PTSD and depressive symptoms tightly cohere, providing evidence for the co-occurrence of PTSD and depressive symptoms after bereavement. The findings provide valuable information for the development of tailored professional interventions for bereaved parents.

Antecedentes: Debido a la política de un hijo implementada en China, la mayoría de las familias tienen sólo un hijo. Cuando los padres experimentan la muerte de su único hijo, estos padres reciben la etiqueta de ‘padres shidu’. Shidu es un gran problema de salud pública en China. Sin embargo, los patrones del trastorno de estrés postraumático (TEPT) y de los síntomas de depresión que se presentan en esta población no están claros.Objetivo: Este estudio busca identificar los perfiles del TEPT y de los síntomas depresivos entre los padres shidu y explorar los predictores de la pertenencia al perfil.Método: Se le solicitó a un total de 363 participantes (M edad = 61.5 años, DE = 7.5) que completaran cuestionarios para evaluar TEPT, síntomas depresivos, apoyo social, e información demográfica. Se usaron análisis de perfil latente y regresiones logísticas multivariadas.Resultados: Tres perfiles distintivos fueron identificados: síntomas bajos (39.4%), moderados (32.8%), y altos (27.8%). Los padres que eran más jóvenes y que reportaron niveles más bajos de apoyo desde la familia y otros tenían más probabilidades de experimentar altos niveles de TEPT y síntomas depresivos.Conclusiones: Estos resultados indican que la severidad del TEPT y los síntomas depresivos coinciden estrechamente, proporcionando evidencia para la co-occurrencia del TEPT y los síntomas depresivos luego de la pérdida. Los hallazgos proveen información valiosa para el desarrollo de intervenciones profesionales a la medida para los padres en duelo.

背景: 子女的死亡是丧亲事件里最有毁灭性的重大创伤事件。与其他国家相比, 中国独生子女政策提高了失独父母比例。在中国, 失独已成为重要的公共卫生问题。尽管已有的研究探讨了失独父母的心理健康状况, 但目前仍缺乏失独父母创伤后应激障碍和抑郁症状的潜在类别及相关因素研究。目的: 本文旨在探讨失独父母创伤后应激障碍和抑郁症状的潜在类别及其相关因素。方法: 以365名失独父母(M= 61.5岁, SD = 7.5)为研究对象, 采集了其创伤后应激障碍, 抑郁症状, 领悟社会支持和人口学信息, 并进行潜在剖面分析和逻辑回归分析。结果: 本研究发现了失独父母创伤后应激障碍和抑郁症状的三个潜在类别:低症状组(39.4%), 中度症状组(32.8%)和高症状组(27.8%)。年龄较小, 来自家庭和他人的社会支持水平较低的失独父母更容易表现出较高水平的创伤后应激障碍和抑郁症状。结论: 结果表明, 失独后的创伤后应激障碍和抑郁症状紧密相关。研究结果为制定针对失独父母的专业干预措施提供了科学依据。.

Keywords: PTSD; Shidu parents; depressive symptoms; latent profile analysis; perceived social support; • Three patterns of PTSD and depressive symptoms profiles were found among Chinese Shidu parents: low (39.4%), moderate (32.8%), and high (27.8%).• Within each profile the severity of PTSD and depressive symptoms tightly cohered.• Younger age and perceived lower levels of social support were predictors of distinct profiles.• The current study provides valuable information for the development of tailored professional interventions for bereaved parents..

Grants and funding

This work was supported by the Shenzhen Science and Technology Project Mental Health Assessment and Intervention Study of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Groups in Major Emergencies (JCYJ20170413170301569).