Depression is a serious condition that affects many people around the world. It is one of the top reasons people become disabled, especially those who are middle-aged or older.
A new study from Colorado State University shows that feeling socially isolated plays a big role in depression for people in this age group.
Researchers looked at data from a large number of older adults in Europe. They used a computer technique called machine learning to study 56 different factors that could affect depression. The main thing they found was that people who felt socially isolated were more likely to be depressed, whether they were men or women.
After social isolation, the next most important risk factors were having poor health and having trouble moving around. The team also looked at 30 things related to people’s social lives, like how often they saw friends, how many friends they had, and whether they got help with things like money or physical care.
They discovered that men who had trouble doing everyday tasks—like managing money, taking medicine, or using the phone—were at greater risk of depression. For women, feeling overwhelmed by family responsibilities was a key risk.
This was especially true for women who felt that taking care of family got in the way of doing what they personally wanted to do.
Even though these gender-specific issues were important, they explained only a small part of why depression affects men and women differently. The researchers said it’s more helpful to look at a wide range of factors that might increase or reduce the risk of depression.
The study also highlights that some parts of social life may affect how people feel more than others. Simply saying someone feels lonely or isolated may not tell the whole story. Things like not having close friendships or not feeling supported in daily life can have a big impact on mental health.
Other studies have looked at different things that might affect depression. Some have found that people who follow a vegetarian diet might have a higher risk of depression, though more research is needed. On the other hand, getting enough Vitamin D might help reduce symptoms of depression.
Also, eating a lot of highly processed foods could make people feel more depressed, while certain antioxidants might protect the brain and reduce the chance of dementia.
This research was led by Stephen Aichele and was published in The Lancet Regional Health—Europe. It gives us more insight into what puts older adults at risk for depression and reminds us how important it is to stay connected with others, take care of our health, and ask for help when needed.
If you care about mental health, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and 6 foods you can eat to improve mental health.
For more mental health information, please see recent studies about top foods to tame your stress, and Omega-3 fats may help reduce depression.
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