Social connection most likely to counter depression, out of 100 modifiable factors.
Researchers identify key factors for depression among more than 100.
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by: Massachusetts General Hospital
Main titles
- Researchers identify key factors for depression among more than 100.
- Social connection as the strongest protective factor for depression.
- Reducing sedentary activities such as TV watching and daytime napping could also help lower the risk of depression.
"Our study provides the most comprehensive picture to date of modifiable factors that could impact depression risk." - Karmel Choi, PhD, investigator in the Department of Psychiatry and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
- Researchers were able to narrow down the essential factors that dealt with depression.
“Far and away the most prominent of these factors was frequency of confiding in others, but also visits with family and friends, all of which highlighted the important protective effect of social connection and social cohesion. These factors are more relevant now than ever at a time of social distancing and separation from friends and family.” - Jordan Smoller, MD, ScD associate chief for research in the MGH Department of Psychiatry.
- Social connection is beneficial even for those who are genetically more at risk of developing depression or have experienced childhood trauma.
Source: massgeneral.org
