Author:
Miyake Haruka,Inoue Yosuke,Okazaki Hiroko,Miyamoto Toshiaki,Eguchi Masafumi,Kochi Takeshi,Kabe Isamu,Tomizawa Aki,Fukunaga Ami,Yamamoto Shohei,Konishi Maki,Dohi Seitaro,Mizoue Tetsuya
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Living alone has been positively associated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms. We examined how a combination of living alone and pet ownership relates to depressive symptoms.
Methods
As part of the Japan Epidemiology Collaboration on Occupational Health Study, we conducted a survey on health-related lifestyles, including living arrangements and pet ownership, among 12,763 employees of five companies in 2018–2021. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 11-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (cutoff score ≥ 9). A Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator was used to calculate prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval (CI) while adjusting for covariates.
Results
Among the participants, 30.9% were depressed, 17.7% had pets, and 29.1% lived alone. Compared to individuals living with others but not with a pet, those living alone and not with a pet had a 1.17 times higher prevalence ratio of depressive symptoms (95% CI: 1.08-1.26). The corresponding figures were 1.03 (95% CI: 0.95-1.11) for those living with others and pet(s) and 1.42 (95% CI: 1.18-1.69) for those living alone but with pet(s).
Conclusion
Living alone was significantly associated with a higher prevalence of depressive symptoms. The association was rather stronger among individuals with vs. without pets. Pet ownership may not be associated with decreased depressive symptoms.
Funder
the Industrial Health Foundation
National Center for Global Health and Medicine
the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health