Methodological Challenges to Research Among Chinese: Using Mixed Methods to Investigate Older Persons With Depression

The article offers an example of using a mixed methods design that was implemented when investigating depression among Chinese older persons in Macau. A challenge in designing the study was that in light of literature on Chinese culture and somatization theory, the acceptability of the methodology was uncertain. Participants (n 31) were purposively selected and quan-titative data were collected using multiple standardized measures. Questions raised by the quan-titative approach were then reflected through in-depth interviews. Four dominant categories emerged: (a) negative thinking, (b) physical limitations and complaints, (c) present living condi-tions and social support, and (d) the lives participants have lived. There was a high level of con-gruence between quantitative scores and narratives. The research approach was acceptable to the participants, and the findings contributed to an understanding of depression and therapeutic interventions for that population within Chinese culture. Keyword