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This is the accepted manuscript version of the article. The final published version is available online in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine via the following DOI: 10.1177/15598276251347226
depression; lifestyle; protective factors; risk factors; young adults
Abstract :
[en] BACKGROUND: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a very prevalent mental disorder worldwide. Beyond MDD's individual impact, it also constitutes a real burden for society, as it affects all domains of everyday life. Lifestyle factors may play an important role in the prevention, development, progression, and treatment of MDD. Consequently, our research aimed to assess the relationships between depressive symptoms and lifestyle to identify which lifestyle characteristics constitute risk or protective factors against depression. Furthermore, since adults aged between 18 and 29 years are at most risk of developing depressive symptoms, we focused on this population.
METHODS: Two hundred and ten young adults, aged 18 to 29 years, completed online questionnaires assessing lifestyle behaviors-including physical activity, sleep quality, dietary habits, connectedness to nature, mindfulness, and resilience-and depressive symptoms.
RESULTS: Regular physical activity, balanced diet, good sleep quality, mindfulness, and resilience to stress were all correlated with lower levels of depression. The study did not reveal a significant relationship between connectedness to nature and depression in this sample.
CONCLUSION: These results align with previous research, highlighting that physical activity, diet, sleep quality, mindfulness, and stress resilience are crucial for managing depression; connectedness to nature requires further study.
Disciplines :
Treatment & clinical psychology
Author, co-author :
Parvin, Maedeh ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Research Unit for a life-Course perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE)
Etienne, Anne-Marie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Psychologie > Psychologie de la santé
Wagener, Aurélie ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Unités de recherche interfacultaires > Research Unit for a life-Course perspective on Health and Education (RUCHE)
Language :
English
Title :
Investigating Lifestyle Risk and Protective Factors for Depression in Young Adults: Insights From a Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study.
Publication date :
30 May 2025
Journal title :
American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine
ISSN :
1559-8276
eISSN :
1559-8284
Publisher :
SAGE Publications Inc., United States
Pages :
15598276251347226
Peer reviewed :
Peer reviewed
Funders :
ULiège - University of Liège
Funding text :
The author(s) disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: This research was funded by the University of Li\u00E8ge. The funding organization played no role in the design, collection, management, analysis, or interpretation of the data, nor in the preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript, or the decision to submit it for publication.
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