Research on the influencing factors of relapse in late-life depression based on health ecology model

PEI Ruqing; JIANG Peiyu

doi:10.12104/j.issn.1674-4748.2026.06.003

Abstract：Objective:To explore the influencing factors of relapse in late-life depression based on the health ecology model,and to provide a basis for the management,prevention,and treatment of relapse in late-life depression in China.Methods:Elderly patients with depression who were treated in the outpatient and inpatient departments of a mental health specialty hospital in Shandong province from March to October 2024 were selected as the survey subjects.Based on the health ecology model,a questionnaire on the influencing factors of late-life depression relapse among the elderly was designed for on-site investigation.The contents included the personal trait layer,psychological and behavioral characteristics layer,interpersonal network layer,work and life conditions layer,and policy environment layer.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of late-life depression relapse.Results:Among 522 elderly patients with depression,371 cases had relapse,with a relapse rate of 71.1%.The results of Logistic regression analysis showed that family history[OR=2.554,95%CI(1.428,4.567)],the number of chronic diseases≥3 types[OR=2.804,95%CI(1.268,6.199)],disease duration of 6～12 months[OR=4.748,95%CI(2.154,10.465)],disease duration of 12～24 months[OR=3.426,95%CI(1.670,7.029)],disease duration>24 months[OR=17.522,95%CI(9.407,32.637)],poor medication compliance[OR=3.111,95%CI(1.883,5.140)],and low social support level[OR=2.241,95%CI(1.015,4.946)]were risk factors for late-life depression relapse.Conclusions:The relapse in late-life depression is the result of multiple factors acting together.Nursing staff can identify high-risk patient groups based on relevant influencing factors and provide targeted interventions to reduce the risk of relapse.