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The longitudinal relationship between exposure to air pollution and depression in older adults
Author(s) -
Wang Ruoyu,
Yang Boyi,
Liu Penghua,
Zhang Jinbao,
Liu Ye,
Yao Yao,
Lu Yi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.5277
Subject(s) - depression (economics) , multilevel model , longitudinal study , center for epidemiologic studies depression scale , psychology , mental health , gerontology , epidemiology , demography , depressive symptoms , environmental health , medicine , psychiatry , cognition , pathology , machine learning , sociology , computer science , economics , macroeconomics
Background Air pollution, especially PM 2.5 (particulate matter with a diameter of below 2.5 μm), has been recognized as a key environmental factor that affects mental health, but few studies have focused on its influence on older adults, who are a vulnerable group. Objective This study focused on the influence of PM 2.5 on health‐related behaviors, such as physical activities and social contact, to assess their role as mediators of depression among older adults in China. Methods We used data (N = 24 623) from the CHARLS (China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study) of 2011‐2015. CES‐D 10 (Center for Epidemiology Studies of Depression scale) was used to measure depression. Using multilevel linear models, we examined the relationships between the variables, with different times nested within the same individual and individuals nested within the cities. Results Before mediators were added, depression symptoms among older adults increased with annual concentration of PM 2.5 (Coeff = 0.57, SE = 0.11). However, after the mediators were added, the coefficient of the annual concentration of PM 2.5 decreased (Coeff = 0.37, SE = 0.10). While both physical activities (Sobel test Z score = 2.37, P value = .02) and social contact ( Z score = 7.33, P value = .00) mediated the relationship between PM 2.5 and depression, the mediating effects decreased with increasing PM 2.5 . Conclusions Exposure to PM 2.5 , therefore, increases depressive symptoms in older Chinese adults by decreasing their physical activities and social contact. Also, the positive effects of physical activities and social contact on depression decreased with increasing PM 2.5 concentrations.