Family and social aspects associated with depression among older persons in a<scp>C</scp>hinese context

<jats:sec><jats:title>Aim</jats:title><jats:p>This study aims to explore the factors associated with depression among older persons in<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">M</jats:styled-content>acau, in relation to family and social aspects.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>Depression among community‐dwelling older persons in<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">M</jats:styled-content>acau has been shown to be present at high rates. In<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">C</jats:styled-content>hinese culture, depression leads to social stigmatisation, suggesting a need to better understand depression as a sociocultural phenomenon.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods</jats:title><jats:p>A mixed methods study was undertaken to identify the key influences on depression among<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">C</jats:styled-content>hinese older persons in<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">M</jats:styled-content>acau. Quantitative (standardised tests) and qualitative (collection of narratives) data were collected from 31 purposively selected participants, all community‐dwelling older persons with depression.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>Depression was common among the participants. The paper reports on the family and social aspects, one of the findings of the study. Informants readily described their thoughts and judgements of themselves in graphic language. As they explored their life stories, family and social aspects emerged as significant influences that associated with depression. In a society and culture that relies on and values filial support, experiences of being widowed, having poor family support and weak social networks appeared to compound and exacerbate depression.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>These findings highlight that filial support, valued in<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">C</jats:styled-content>hinese culture, is seriously strained by the realities of contemporary society. Yet current government policies rely on and confirm the role of family support. Findings from this study suggest a need for such policies to be reviewed to address the realities of family and social support.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Implications for practice</jats:title><jats:p>The findings have several implications for clinical practice. Firstly, the cultural context of<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">C</jats:styled-content>hinese older persons should be considered and emphasised in nursing practice. Secondly, the root of depression among Chinese older persons is seen to lie in their social, family, cultural and day‐to‐day living issues.</jats:p></jats:sec>