Author: Jie Zhang (State University of New York College at Buffalo), Shuo Dong (Central University of Finance and Economics School of Economics, China), and David Lester (Stockton University)

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ABSTRACT

The relationship between religion and psychopathology is an understudied topic, especially in Chinese societies. Previous studies in the West have indicated that religious involvement is negatively related to depression and suicide, but Western religious beliefs are uncommon in China, and Confucian values guide behaviors, especially in rural areas. In this study we examined whether there is a connection between Confucian values and depression and suicidal ideation in China in 1,618 Chinese rural adults who were recruited for a face-to-face structured interview. An inventory to measure Confucian values (Filial Piety, Harmony, and Female Subordination) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale were employed. It was found that, among women, harmony and female subordination were related to depression and suicidal ideation. This correlation was not observed among men.