Prevalence and risk factors of mental health among retired male population based on SCL-90

doi:10.3969/.issn.1674-3245.2017.02.010

Abstract：Objective To analyze the prevalence of mental health problems and related risk factors among retired elderly males. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in a third-grade hospital in Beijing, and all retired males who did underwent physical examinations were invited to enroll in the study. Symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90) was used to assess mental health. Results In total, 1132 retired males aged 60 to 99 (mean:75.2 ± 9.5) years were included in the study. The mean SCL-90 score was 24.35 ± 23.2. The top three factors affecting the mental health of retired males were obsessive-compulsive symptom factors (9.3%),additional factors (8.1%) and somatic factors (7.8%). The SCL-90 factor score was significantly lower in this population than in populations of soldiers and the general population (P < 0.001), except for the physical factors score. Being divorced /widowed and having unbalanced diet or sleep disorders were risk factors for having mental health problems (OR: 1.44(95%CI:1.29-1.76),2.12 (95%CI:1.38-3.24) and 3.37 (95%CI:2.31-4.93), respectively); physical exercise was a protective factor for mental health (OR:0.58 (95%CI:0.31-0.86)). Conclusion The prevalence of mental problems in this retired male population is relatively low. Marital status,unbalanced diet,physical exercise and sleep disorder are related risk factors. Doctors should pay attention to populations with special problems, such as the widowed and those with sleep disorders; early measures should be taken to reduce the prevalence of serious psychological problems.