A recent study from Anhui Medical University in China examines the factors contributing to anxiety among older adults living in rural areas. Conducted between July 2023 and February 2024, the research involved a sample of 1,546 elderly participants from Anhui Province. The study aimed to identify and rank the individual factors affecting anxiety levels to inform interventions that could enhance mental health and well-being in this demographic.
The findings revealed a mean anxiety score of 4.23 out of 10 among the participants, with a notable anxiety prevalence rate of 36.4%. Researchers employed multiple statistical methods, including T-tests, ANOVA tests, multiple linear regression, and a random forest algorithm, to analyze the data.
Key factors identified as influencing anxiety levels included age, marital status, vision quality, self-rated health, results from physical examinations, dietary habits (specifically coarse grain consumption), sleep quality, subjective well-being, and social support.
The random forest analysis demonstrated that the most significant contributors to anxiety were depression, subjective well-being, self-rated health, sleep quality, and visual acuity. Notably, the study found that a higher consumption of coarse grains was associated with lower anxiety levels among older adults.
These results underline the complexity of anxiety in rural elderly populations and highlight the need for targeted interventions. Researchers recommend focusing on elderly individuals experiencing depression, poor sleep quality, and vision problems to improve overall happiness and mental health. The study advocates for a multi-dimensional approach to support the mental health of older adults in rural settings.
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