title: The role of social participation and walking in depression among older adults: results from the VoisiNuAge study.
abstract: Lower social participation and less frequent walking represent two factors that may contribute to depression among older adults, but previous research on the subject is inconclusive. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to quantify associations between depression and the combined effects from social participation and walking in a sample of older adults living in Canada (n = 549). Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted, in which we entered social participation and walking as predictors of depression while controlling for individual characteristics. Results of the final models show that individuals who do not walk outside their home report more depressive symptoms or a greater likelihood of possible clinical depression (the association in our study between social participation and depression was attenuated to non-significance). The current study highlights the central role played by life habits, such as walking, in older adults' mental health status.
authors.affiliation: Institut de recherche en santé publique de l'Université de Montréal, QC. dominic.julien@umontreal.ca
authors.forename: Dominic
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Julien
authors.forename: Lise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gauvin
authors.forename: Lucie
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Richard
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kestens
authors.forename: Hélène
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Payette
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D002170:Canada; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D012494:Sampling Studies; D058992:Social Participation / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016138:Walking / Q000523:psychology*