Association between reading and depression in Chinese adults

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Mental Health Research
• Gerontology

Background:

• Qualitative studies suggest reading benefits mental health.
• Depression is a significant public health concern, particularly in aging populations.
• Understanding lifestyle factors associated with depression is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between reading habits and depression in adults over 40 in China.
• To explore age-specific differences in the reading-depression relationship.
• To examine the dose-response relationship between reading quantity and depression.

Main Methods:

• Utilized national cross-sectional survey data from adults aged over 40 in mainland China.
• Assessed depression status using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D).
• Employed multilevel binary logistic and linear regression models, including restricted cubic splines for non-linear analysis.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of depression in the study population was 13.02%.
• Reading habit showed a significant negative association with depression (Odds Ratio: 0.809).
• A stronger protective association was observed in the elderly compared to the middle-aged population.

Conclusions:

• Reading habit is negatively associated with depression among adults over 40 in China.
• Reading may serve as a beneficial mental health intervention, especially for the elderly.
• Further experimental studies are warranted to confirm these findings.