مقاله انگلیسی چگونه فعالیت بدنی مبتنی بر گروه در برابر افسردگی محافظت می کند
Abstract
Keywords
Sport or exercise group memberships, physical activity participation, and depression
Group memberships, loneliness, and depression
A direct link between group memberships and depression
The present research
Study 1
Method
Results
Discussion
Study 2
Method
Results
Discussion
General discussion
Conclusion
Acknowledgements
Appendix A. Supplementary data
Credit author statement
References
ABSTRACT
Against the backdrop of evidence that physical activity can protect against depression, there has been growing interest in the mechanisms through which this relationship operates (e.g., biological adaptations), and the factors that might moderate it (e.g., physical activity intensity). However, no attempt has been made to examine whether, or through what mechanisms, depression-related benefits might arise from belonging to groups that engage in physical activity. Across two studies, we addressed these shortcomings by (a) examining whether engaging in physical activity specifically in the context of sport or exercise groups protects against depression and (b) testing two pathways through which benefits might arise: greater physical activity and reduced loneliness. Study 1 (N = 4549) used data from three waves of a population study of older adults residing in England. Sport or exercise group membership predicted fewer depression symptoms four years later. This relationship was underpinned by sport or exercise group members engaging in physical activity more frequently and feeling less lonely. Clinical depression rates were almost twice as high among non-group members than group members. Study 2 (N = 635) included Australian adults who were members of sport and exercise groups, recruited during the enforced suspension of all group-based sport and exercise due to COVID-19 restrictions. The more sport or exercise groups participants had lost physical access to, the more severe their depression symptoms. Clinical depression rates were over twice as high among those who had lost access to >2 groups compared to those who had lost access to <2 groups. The relationship between number of groups lost and depression symptom severity was mediated by greater loneliness, but not by overall physical activity. Overall, findings suggest that belonging to groups that engage in physical activity can protect against depression, and point to the value of initiatives that aim to promote people’s engagement in such groups.Depression is a leading cause of disability, currently affecting approximately 264 million people worldwide (James et al., 2018). Characterised by symptoms including low mood, fatigue, disinterest in activities, and suicidal thoughts or attempts, it has a substantial negative impact on quality of life and is a strong predictor of premature death (Jia et al., 2015; Steensma et al., 2016). Moreover, estimates suggest that, in the United States alone, the total economic cost of major depression disorder is US$210million per year (Greenberg et al., 2015). Like mental health more generally, depression is best viewed as a continuum on which everyone falls (Keyes, 2002). A majority of people will experience sub-clinical symptoms at some point in their lives such that, while they may not be included in estimates of depression prevalence or cost, they nevertheless experience psychological distress and impaired functioning.