Increased frequency of participation in civic associations and reduced depressive symptoms: Prospective study of older Japanese survivors of the Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Few studies have examined whether changes in participation in civic associations can mitigate depressive symptoms among older disaster survivors.

Objectives

We examined prospectively the association between changes in participation in civic associations and changes in depressive symptoms among older survivors of the 2011 Great Eastern Japan Earthquake.

Methods

We analyzed questionnaire-based survey data on pre- and post-disaster participation in civic associations and depressive symptoms compiled for 3567 respondents aged 65 years and above. Changes in these symptoms were assessed using a 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) as a continuous variable for 2010 and 2013. We investigated four types of civic associations: sports, hobby, voluntary groups, and

SUBMITTER: Zhang W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9136530 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature