Dependency-associated individual, family, community, and social factors from a resilience framework among elderly people

Dependency is a common personality disorder among elderly people, and there is currently no good evidence to recommend an intervention strategy for this disorder. This study aimed to assess the risk factors of dependency on the basis of a social ecological model. This is a community-based cross-sectional study. A total of 1276 participants aged ≥ 60 years were selected through a complex multistage sampling design from 27 locations in China and found eligible to participate in the study. All data were collected using questionnaires by face-to-face interviews. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to identify the association between dependency and related risk factors. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the protective factors of dependency among individuals with high risk factors of dependency. The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that the individual, family, community, and social factors were significantly associated with dependency. Logistic regression analysis showed that good social connection and social support were the most important protective factors for individuals with a high risk of dependency. We identify that dependency is associated with protection and risk factors from the individual, family, community, and social factors among elderly individuals. Based on resilience theory, our results suggest that using a social ecological model to assess the risk factors of dependency may be an effective way to develop intervention strategies of dependency among older people.