J Psychiatr Res. 2024 Nov 23;181:46-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.11.052. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Adolescent depression is a health issue influenced by various factors, with the impact of environmental factors, particularly air pollution, being insufficiently understood. This study investigates the relationship between particulate matter (PM2.5) and adolescent mental health.
METHODS: A survey of middle school students in two rural counties of Hubei Province-Tongcheng and Lichuan-was conducted using multi-stage probability sampling. Data on demographics, mental health, and social conditions were collected via self-administered questionnaires. PM2.5 exposure levels were obtained from the NASA Giovanni database using a two-step machine learning model. Depression levels were measured with the PHQ-9 scale. Generalized linear regression and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the relationship between PM2.5 and depression.
RESULTS: The study included 2780 valid responses (mean age 13.49 years, 52.73% male). The findings indicated a correlation between PM2.5 exposure, left-behind children status, and negative coping strategies with higher PHQ-9 scores. Each unit increase in PM2.5 was associated with a 1.004 increase in the PHQ-9 score (P < 0.01). Left-behind children had scores 1.023 times higher than their peers (P = 0.039), while positive coping correlated with lower scores (RR = 0.855, P < 0.001). The influence of PM2.5 on depression was fully indirect, mediated by personal traits and family/community environments (β = -0.003, P = 0.855).
LIMITATIONS: The cross-sectional design limits causal inferences, and self-reporting may introduce bias. The focus on middle schoolers from two counties may limit broader applicability.
CONCLUSIONS: This research underscores the complex factors contributing to adolescent depression, with individual characteristics playing a crucial role. The impact of air pollution on depression is mediated by personal traits and the community environment.
PMID:39603161 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.11.052
