Twenty years ago in the Middle Kingdom, only twenty percent of China's elderly were depressed. Now, two economically booming decades later, that number has doubled. China's economic growth has changed the family dynamic and has left many of China's geriatrics behind and alone.

Recently, the Laboratory of Mental Health under the Chinese Academy of Sciences released a study based on twenty nine major cites in China. It brought some startling results to light.

Andrea Hunt has the story:

Based on a survey from the 2007-2008 year in China's major cities, Professor Li Juan and her colleagues recently released a report to the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. Participants were asked the frequency and severity of their depression over a prolonged period of time. Results indicate that forty percent of China's elderly have symptoms of depression.

"We really didn't expect the prevalence to be so high but we did expect the prevalence would increase to some degree. As you know, China is going through very rapid social and economical transitions. That brings along a lot of protective factors for the Chinese elderly people from the depression symptoms. But we didn't expect the prevalence to be so high."

So, what factors are contributing to this phenomenon? China's economy has improved and elderly do believe their standards are better than a generation ago.

But quality of life has to do with other factors. A generation ago, Chinese adults cared for their retired parents. Ranhao of Beijing's nonprofit Community Alliance sets up local community centers for the elderly in China and explains that this has changed.

"Because of China's fast development, the chance of young people living without their parents or working outside their birthplace is greater, so they don't come back home that often. The other reason is that young people are experiencing great pressure now. Even if they work in the city where their parents live, they will not have much time to come back and take care of their parents. As a result, their parents are isolated and they have feelings of increased depression."

This is not a new trend in the West, but it is new to China. Western countries have many more elderly homes where loneliness and depression are all too common. Tragically, in the US, elderly have the highest rates of suicide than any other age group.

One issue Lijuan points out is that this generation may have more difficulty discussing their emotions. But Beijing elderly resident, Mr. Lu, believes it's because this generations' emotional needs have changed.

"With the pace of development and fierce competition increasing, people begin to have a much better life. However, their desire for things increases accordingly. A generation ago, people cared more about basic needs like food and clothing. Comparatively speaking, society now provides more space for material improvement but it also causes increased desire. When they cannot get the things that they want, they get depressed."

Material comfort doesn't equal a happy life, says retired Beijing resident Mr. Lan. Lan recently returned from vacation in Los Angeles and was surprised to find the mood of America's geriatrics.

"I think old people in America are very lonely. They just have financial endowments but their family connections are weak and they yearn for care from others. In my situation, with an old person like myself, I am old, but I also have activities to do."

Mrs. Ma from Beijing believes that the problem in China may be worsening, but it will not become as severe as in other places. Here, she points out that elderly have outdoor areas and community centers.

"Early in the morning, you can go to places like Tiantan Park or Zhongshan Park and you will see many old people exercising, they are happy and satisfied with this new society. Compared to the situations in other countries that are at war or unstable, China is safe and peaceful. Even though China is becoming stronger and life is improving, the protection for the elderly can be ensured. For example, people like us have retirement endowments, our children are independent and can support themselves. Under these circumstances, the chance of old people like us getting depressed is slim."

What is being done to make sure this is possible? Ranhao of Beijing's Community Alliance says they try to provide community centers for the elderly and offer support.

"There are some hotlines providing service for the elderly with people trying to help provide psychological support services. Furthermore, there are some organizations like the Community Alliance. We conduct some community activities regularly and provide psychological and legal service. In some communities, there are specialized people called "community elderly helpers" who will visit the elderly, especially those in exceptional poverty and of old age, on a regular basis to know their condition and need, and try to help them out."

There are people to help, but can China's family dynamic withstand future economic changes? It seems that there truly is a difference between standard of living and improved quality of life.

For CRI, I'm Andrea Hunt.