Examining the association between family status and depression in the UK Biobank.

ABSTRACT:

Background

We examined associations between family status (living with a spouse or partner and number of children) and lifetime depression.

Methods

We used data from the UK Biobank, a large prospective study of middle-aged and older adults. Lifetime depression was assessed as part of a follow-up mental health questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to estimate associations between family status and depression. We included extensive adjustment for social, demographic and other potential confounders, including depression polygenic risk scores.

Results

52,078 participants (mean age = 63.6, SD = 7.6; 52% female) were included in our analyses. Living with a spouse or partner was associated with substantially lower odds of lifetime depression (OR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.62-0.7

SUBMITTER: Giannelis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7780845 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature