Testing a syndemics perspective on the effects of multiple adversities on depression and anxiety symptoms in a representative population sample.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Considerable empirical evidence indicates that stressful life experiences may have a negative impact on mental health. However, it is unclear how multiple adverse experiences may intersect to influence symptoms of depression and anxiety. Using a syndemics approach to identify potential synergistic effects between major stressors, we aimed to quantify the roles of multiple recent adverse life experiences on depression and anxiety symptoms.

Methods

A population-representative sample of 1090 Australian adults (53% women, M_age 47 years) completed a cross-sectional survey in 2022 that assessed mental health and retrospective reports of nine specific stressful life experiences in the past year.

Results

The most common adverse life experiences in the past

SUBMITTER: Batterham PJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11522096 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature