The Effect of Leisure Activity Diversity and Exercise Time on the Prevention of Depression in the Middle-Aged and Elderly Residents of Taiwan

Hsiao-Yun Lee, Chia-Pin Yu, Chih-Da Wu and Wen-Chi Pan
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Hsiao-Yun Lee: School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Chia-Pin Yu: School of Forestry and Resource Conservation, National Taiwan University, Taipei 106, Taiwan
Chih-Da Wu: Department of Forestry and Nature Resources, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 600, Taiwan
Wen-Chi Pan: Institute of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-11

Abstract: Previous studies have confirmed that activity participation is beneficial to mental health, but few studies focus on older adults’ depression. Based on the theory of social integration, this study examined the effects of leisure activity diversity and exercise time on depression in late adulthood. Subjects in the 2011 Survey of Health and Living Status of the Middle-Aged and Elderly in Taiwan were extracted. A series of logistic regressions were conducted to discern factors related to the odds of having depression. Among study subjects ( N = 3727; age ≥ 58), 20.9% indicated an inclination of having depression (CESD-10 score ≥ 8). This study found that participating in diverse leisure activities and longer exercise time decreases older adults’ risk of having depression. Additionally, the results confirmed that depression is positively correlated with chronic diseases. Consequently, efforts should be continually spent on encouraging older adults’ participation in activities to reduce the prevalence of depression.

Keywords: leisure activity diversity; exercise; middle-aged and elderly; depression; CESD-10 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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