Association between Noise Annoyance and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Xiangpu Gong, Benjamin Fenech, Claire Blackmore, Yingxin Chen, Georgia Rodgers, John Gulliver and Anna L. Hansell
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Xiangpu Gong: Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK
Benjamin Fenech: Noise and Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK
Claire Blackmore: Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK
Yingxin Chen: Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK
Georgia Rodgers: Noise and Public Health Group, Environmental Hazards and Emergencies Department, UK Health Security Agency, Birmingham B2 4BH, UK
John Gulliver: Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK
Anna L. Hansell: Centre for Environmental Health and Sustainability, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7HA, UK

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 5, 1-25

Abstract: To date, most studies of noise and mental health have focused on noise exposure rather than noise annoyance. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate whether the available evidence supports an adverse association between noise annoyance and mental health problems in people. We carried out a literature search of Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, and conference proceedings published between 2000 and 2022. Thirteen papers met the inclusion criteria. We conducted meta-analyses of noise annoyance in relation to depression, anxiety, and general mental health. In the meta-analyses, we found that depression was approximately 1.23 times greater in those who were highly noise-annoyed (N = 8 studies). We found an approximately 55% higher risk of anxiety (N = 6) in highly noise-annoyed people. For general mental health (N = 5), highly annoyed participants had an almost 119% increased risk of mental health problems as assessed by Short Form (SF) or General Household Questionnaires (GHQ), but with high heterogeneity and risk of publication bias. In conclusion, findings are suggestive of a potential link between noise annoyance and poorer mental health based on a small number of studies. More evidence is needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: environmental and neighborhood noise; traffic noise; noise annoyance; mental health; depression; anxiety disorder; general mental health (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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