Work Status, Financial Stress, Family Problems, and Gender Differences in the Prevalence of Depression in Chile

The mediating role of depression in the association between perceived financial wellbeing and somatization: a study in the context of Lebanon's financial crisis

The objectives of this study were to examine the association between financial wellbeing and somatization, in addition to the mediating effect of anxiety, depression and stress. To test such hypotheses, a cross-sectional study was carried out between September and October 2021; 403 participants (264 females; age = 32.76 ± 13.24 years) were recruited. Depression mediated the association between financial wellbeing and somatization. A worse financial wellbeing was significantly associated with more depression, which was associated with more somatization. Moreover, a worse financial wellbeing was significantly and directly associated with more somatization. Our study adds to the narrow body of research revolving around the relationship between financial wellbeing and somatization in Lebanese adults. Understanding that the effects of, depression are aggravated in a country such as Lebanon would help establish more preventative guidelines and mental health awareness campaigns. Identifying the correlates of somatization can also be translated into improved interventions.

Permanent unfitness for work and mental disorders: a multicentric cross-sectional study of 2,788 unfit employees

In France, Mental Disorders (MD) are the second most common medical cause of unfitness-for-work notices. The main objective is to describe the MD causing permanent medically unfitness at the workstation. A cross-sectional multicenter survey was conducted among employees followed by 323 physicians from occupational health services of the South of France in 2017. The MD responsible for unfitness for the job were coded according to the ICD-10 nomenclature and their occupational origin was estimated by each physician. On 359,966 employees screened, 2,788 were unfitted. Among the 2,779 unfitness cases which were analysed, 985 were unfitted for MD. The incidence rate of unfitness for MD was 2.78 unfit per 1,000 employees followed. Representing 36.8% (985 cases) of all grounds for unfitness, MD were estimated to be work-related in 614 (63.6%) of cases. The main MD were 449 (45.6%) cases of major depressive episodes, 227 (23.0%) anxiety disorders and 131 (13.3%) recurrent depressive disorders. Their occupational origin was mentioned in 296 (67.3%), 168 (74.7%), 62 (49.6%) cases and the link with a Burnout (BO) in 166 (38.3%), 61 (27.9%) and 41 (34.2%) cases respectively among 364 all pathologies reported to a BO. Unfitness for MD was more common among women (ORa = 1.79 95% CI [1.50-2.13]), working in trade, transport, accommodation and catering (ORa = 1.47 95% CI [1.04-2.09]) and increase with age (ORa = 4.24 95% CI [2.73-6.60] for over 55). Major depressive episodes represent the MD most frequently responsible for unfitness and the most related to occupational origin.

Paid Sick Leave and Self-Reported Depression and Anxiety: Evidence From a Nationally Representative Longitudinal Survey

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study was to explore the association between access to paid sick leave (AtPSL) and self-reported feelings of depression and anxiety in a nationally representative U.S. working population.

METHODS

In 2023, this study examined data from the 2019-2020 Longitudinal National Health Interview Survey. A Generalized Linear Latent and Mixed Model (GLLAMM) was used to analyze the longitudinal data.

RESULTS

The descriptive analysis of population averages showed that fewer workers with AtPSL reported daily feelings of depression (45%), anxiety (24%), and both depression and anxiety (52%) than workers without AtPSL. According to the GLLAMM analysis, the odds of workers with AtPSL self-reporting feelings of daily depression, anxiety, and both were 48%, 27%, and 51% lower, respectively, than workers without AtPSL. This analysis controlled for different demographic and socioeconomic variables. Robustness analysis demonstrated that these associations persisted when the outcome variables were measured in terms of self-reported feelings of weekly depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

The role of mental health in improving overall well-being and the recognition of AtPSL as a social justice issue have reinforced the importance of providing paid sick leave to help protect the mental health status of workers. This study, using a unique longitudinal data set, found that AtPSL was associated with a lower prevalence of self-reported daily or weekly feelings of depression and anxiety.

Gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms in Chile between 2003 and 2016

The aim of the study was to analyze gender differences in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms among the adult population in Chile between 2003 and 2016. The Sullivan method was used to estimate the total and marginal life expectancy, based on prevalence data from the National Health Survey (2003, 2010 and 2016), and abridged life tables for the Chilean population. There was a compression of morbidity among middle-aged men during the first period and among younger and older women during the last one. Men at all ages could expect to live a higher proportion of their lives without depressive symptoms during the whole period. The gender gap in the proportion of life expectancy free of depressive symptoms reached 10 percent points or more, considering almost all ages and periods. Unemployment and lower education increased the probability of depressive symptoms, and these effects were more marked among women. Public policies should have a gender-sensitive approach to address the gap in depression and the disadvantage experienced by women in life expectancy free of depressive symptoms, considering those dimensions that intersect with gender, such as access to education, employment or income.

The association of changes in leisure-time physical activity on depressive symptoms during Covid-19 in German adults: A longitudinal study

This longitudinal survey assessed preventive and curative antidepressant effects of at least 75 min/week of leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) at different timepoints of the Covid-19 pandemic. We further investigated if high self-regulation skills were associated with higher odds of initiating or maintaining LTPA during the pandemic. Data was collected online from 4253 participants (age: m = 33.65 years, SD = 0.79; 79 % female) during the first quarantine measures in Germany (T1), as well as 4 weeks (T2), and 8 months (T3) later. We performed linear mixed models with changes (T2-T1, T3-T1) in LTPA and baseline major depressive disorder (MDD) as predictors (main effects and interaction effect) and depressive symptoms (at T2, T3) as the primary outcome. We found significant interaction effects of baseline depression and change in LTPA on depressive symptoms at T2 and T3 (p < 0.001). For probable cases of MDD an increasing LTPA to ≥75 min/week (vs. no change, <75 min/week) was associated with less depressive symptoms at T2 and T3 (p = 0.003, d = 0.28). For absence of depression at baseline, remaining at ≥75 min/week of LTPA was associated with less depressive symptoms at T2 and T3 compared to remaining at <75 min/week (p = 0.006, d = 0.11) or decreasing LTPA to <75 min/week (p = 0.018, d = 0.11). Reporting high self-regulation at T1 was associated with higher odds of performing ≥75 min/week of LTPA at T2/T3 (OR = 1.74, p < 0.001). In general, studies report reduced LTPA during Covid-19. To benefit from the reported preventive and interventional effects, further interventions should focus on improving physical activity related self-regulation to identify and overcome barriers for LTPA.

Depression Among University Students in Jordan After the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

University students encounter stressors that make them more susceptible to depression than the general population. Depression negatively impacts mental and physical health. Our study assessed the prevalence of depression among university students in Jordan and its associated predictors after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

We conducted this cross-sectional online survey study in the first quarter of 2022 by sending an online questionnaire to university students aged 18 years and older. This study assessed the symptoms of depression using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated predictors of depression.

Results

A total of 535 university students participated in this study. The mean depression score for the study participants was 13.9 (SD: 7.1) out of 27, representing a moderate level of depression. Among the participants, 26.2% had moderate, 19.3% had moderately severe, and 25.8% had severe depression. Students who drink three or more cups of coffee per day, have had an evaluation of their psychological state by specialists before, and have been diagnosed with any mental illness were more likely to have a higher depression score compared to others (p<0.05). On the other hand, students who were aged 24 years and older and those who practiced regular exercise were less likely to have a higher depression score compared to others (p<0.05).

Conclusion

We found a high prevalence of depression among university students in Jordan. This result is vital for decision-makers to implement a plan to prevent and manage this mental health issue.

The prevalence and risk of developing major depression among individuals with subthreshold depression in the general population

BACKGROUND

Subthreshold depression could be a significant precursor to and a risk factor for major depression. However, reliable estimates of the prevalence and its contribution to developing major depression under different terminologies depicting subthreshold depression have to be established.

METHODS

By searching PubMed and Web of Science using predefined inclusion criteria, we included 1 129 969 individuals from 113 studies conducted. The prevalence estimates were calculated using the random effect model. The incidence risk ratio (IRR) was estimated by measuring the ratio of individuals with subthreshold depression who developed major depression compared to that of non-depressed individuals from 19 studies (88, 882 individuals).

RESULTS

No significant difference in the prevalence among the different terminologies depicting subthreshold depression (Q = 1.96, p = 0.5801) was found. By pooling the prevalence estimates of subthreshold depression in 113 studies, we obtained a summary prevalence of 11.02% [95% confidence interval (CI) 9.78-12.33%]. The youth group had the highest prevalence (14.17%, 95% CI 8.82-20.55%), followed by the elderly group (12.95%, 95% CI 11.41-14.58%) and the adult group (8.92%, 95% CI 7.51-10.45%). Further analysis of 19 studies' incidence rates showed individuals with subthreshold depression had an increased risk of developing major depression (IRR = 2.95, 95% CI 2.33-3.73), and the term minor depression showed the highest IRR compared with other terms (IRR = 3.97, 95% CI 3.17-4.96).

CONCLUSIONS

Depression could be a spectrum disorder, with subthreshold depression being a significant precursor to and a risk factor for major depression. Proactive management of subthreshold depression could be effective for managing the increasing prevalence of major depression.

A survey of depression and anxiety disorders in urban and rural Suriname

BACKGROUND

Suriname is a Low-middle income country consisting of diverse population groups. Epidemiological studies concerning mental disorders like depression and anxiety had not been conducted until 2015. The treatment gap for mental disorders in Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) may reach 76-80% as treatment is not always readily available. In this study, we estimate and compare the prevalence of potential cases of depression and anxiety, as well as the size of the treatment gap in a rural (Nickerie) and urban (Paramaribo) region of Suriname, a lower middle-income country.

METHODS

Subjects were selected by a specific sampling method of the national census bureau. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) was used to assess depression. Generalized anxiety disorder was assessed with the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) and The Agoraphobic Cognitions Questionnaire (ACQ), the Body Sensations Questionnaire (BSQ) were used to assess Panic disorder. The treatment gap was calculated by estimating the percentage of subjects with depression or anxiety that did not seek out professional help.

RESULTS

About 18% of the respondents from Nickerie and 16% from Paramaribo were at risk of depression and the established cut-off values of the instruments used indicate that about 3-4% in both regions may suffer from Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Women in both samples were most at risk of high anxiety about body sensations and maladaptive thoughts about panic. The treatment gap varies between 78 and 100% for the two disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

A high depression rate has been found in both areas, especially among young females. In addition, a high treatment gap is noted which insinuates that more therapeutic strategies are required to tackle depression and anxiety in Suriname.

Population attributable fraction of modifiable risk factors for dementia in Chile

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

HIGHLIGHTS

The Reciprocal Relationship between Frailty and Depressive Symptoms among Older Adults in Rural China: A Cross-Lag Analysis

(1) Objective: This study aimed to investigate the reciprocal relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms using longitudinal data among older adults in China. (2) Methods: Data derived from 2014 and 2017 waves of a longitudinal study of 1367 older adults aged 70–84 years, living in rural areas of Jiangsu Province, China. Cross-lagged panel model and a multiple group model were used to examine the temporal effect of frailty on depressive symptoms and vice versa. (3) Results: Frailty was associated with subsequent increase in depressive symptoms, such that participants with higher levels of frailty increase the risks of depressive symptoms (b = 0.090, p < 0.01). Depressive symptoms were significant predictors of increased frailty (b = −0.262, p <0.001). However, older men and older women had no significant differences in the reciprocal relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, we find a significant bi-directional relationship between frailty and depressive symptoms. This finding confirms the dyadic model of frailty and depression. Implications for interventions and policy to help frail and depressive older adults are discussed.

Predictors and Correlates of Depression in Retired Elite Level Rugby League Players

Background: There is considerable interest in determining whether later-in-life depression is associated with lifetime history of concussions or the duration of a career in professional contact and collision sports. Rugby league is a high-intensity collision sport involving a large number of tackles per game and a high rate of concussions. We examined predictors and correlates of depression in retired elite level rugby league players in Australia.

Methods: Retired elite level rugby league players (N = 141, age: M = 52.6, SD = 13.8; Range = 30–89 years) completed the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS), Brief Pain Inventory, Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC), and Epworth Sleepiness Scale; they also reported on lifetime history of concussions. The DASS depression score was regressed on age, total number of self-reported concussions, years played professionally, CD-RISC score, BPI pain interference score, and ESS score.

Results: The retired players reported a median of 15 total lifetime concussions [interquartile range (IQR) = 6–30], and a median of 8 years playing professional sports (IQR = 3.5–11). The proportion of the sample endorsing at least mild current depression was 29%. The DASS depression score was positively correlated with the DASS anxiety (r = 0.54) and DASS stress scores (r = 0.58). The CD-RISC score was negatively correlated with the depression score (r = −0.53). Depression scores were not significantly correlated with pain severity (r = 0.14), and were weakly correlated with life interference due to pain (r = 0.20) and years playing professional sports (r = −0.17). Depression scores were not significantly correlated with lifetime history of concussions (r = 0.14). A multiple regression model, with age, total number of self-reported concussions, years played professionally, the CD-RISC, Brief Pain Inventory-pain interference score, and Epworth Sleepiness Scale score as predictors was significant, with 35% of the variance in DASS depression accounted for. The two significant independent predictors of depression were lower resilience and greater life interference due to pain.

Conclusions: This is the first large study of depression in retired rugby league players. Depression in these retired players was not meaningfully associated with lifetime history of concussions or number of years playing elite level collision sport. Depression was associated with current anxiety, stress, resilience, and life interference due to chronic pain.

Depression Levels of State Functionaries: Empirical Evidence From China

This study aimed to explore the depression levels of those serving as state functionaries in China. We used data from the 2016 China Labor-force Dynamics Survey and the ordinary least squares model for the regression analysis. The results found: i) The degree of depression of state functionaries was found to be lower than that of other workers; that is, the overall depression index of state functionaries was 1.010 points lower, and the result was significant at the degree of 1%; ii) state functionaries had a lower degree of depression than workers in all other occupation groups; iii) older state functionaries had lower depression than their younger counterparts; iv) the degree of depression of state functionaries in the provinces involved in China's three major urban agglomerations was higher than that of those in other provinces; and v) the degree of depression of female state functionaries was lower than that their male peers. Thus, there is an association between serving as a state functionary in China and depression. State functionaries have lower levels of depression than other working groups. These levels were generally lower but varied according to age, sex, and province.

Economic Strain Deteriorates While Education Fails to Protect Black Older Adults Against Depressive Symptoms, Pain, Self-rated Health, Chronic Disease, and Sick Days

Background

A large body of empirical evidence on Minorities' Diminished Returns (MDRs) suggests that educational attainment shows smaller health effects for Blacks compared to Whites. At the same time, economic strain may operate as a risk factor for a wide range of undesired mental and physical health outcomes in Black communities.

Aim

The current study investigated the combined effects of education and economic strain on the following five health outcomes in Black older adults in underserved areas of South Los Angeles: depressive symptoms, number of chronic diseases, pain intensity, self-rated health, and sick days.

Methods

This cross-sectional study included 619 Black older adults residing in South Los Angeles. Data on demographic factors (age and gender), socioeconomic characteristics, economic strain, health insurance, living arrangement, marital status, health behaviors, depressive symptoms, pain intensity, number of chronic diseases, sick days, and self-rated health were collected. Five linear regressions were used to analyze the data.

Results

Although high education was associated with less economic strain, it was the economic strain, not educational attainment, which was universally associated with depressive symptoms, pain intensity, self-rated health, chronic diseases, and sick days, independent of covariates. Similar patterns emerged for all health outcomes suggesting that the risk associated with economic strain and lack of health gain due to educational attainment are both robust and independent of type of health outcome.

Conclusion

In economically constrained urban environments, economic strain is a more salient social determinant of health of Black older adults than educational attainment. While education loses some of its protective effects, economic strain deteriorates health of Black population across domains. There is a need for bold economic and social policies that increase access of Black communities to cash at times of emergency. There is also a need to improve the education quality in the Black communities.