The relationship between physical and mental health: A mediation analysis

Abstract

There is a strong link between mental health and physical health, but little is known about the pathways from one to the other. We analyse the direct and indirect effects of past mental health on present physical health and past physical health on present mental health using lifestyle choices and social capital in a mediation framework. We use data on 10,693 individuals aged 50 years and over from six waves (2002-2012) of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Mental health is measured by the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES) and physical health by the Activities of Daily Living (ADL). We find significant direct and indirect effects for both forms of health, with indirect effects explaining 10% of the effect of past mental health on physical health and 8% of the effect of past physical health on mental health. Physical activity is the largest contributor to the indirect effects. There are stronger indirect effects for males in mental health (9.9%) and for older age groups in mental health (13.6%) and in physical health (12.6%). Health policies aiming at changing physical and mental health need to consider not only the direct cross-effects but also the indirect cross-effects between mental health and physical health.

Relationship between Individual Social Capital and Functional Ability among Older People in Anhui Province, China

“…A cohort study from Sweden also found that, in later life, older people who more engaged in more valued social activities were more socially active and physically active, therefore more reported less functional disability [7]. Our study showed that a higher level of social connection was associated with better elderly functional ability, as supported by previous studies reporting that more social connection linked to less likely to have functional limitations [38,39].…”

Is the relationship between subjective age, depressive symptoms and activities of daily living bidirectional?

“…For example, changing perceptions of aging might have favorable effects on emotional health and functional status. Further, a recent longitudinal study demonstrated that the relationship between depressive symptoms and ADLs (and vice-versa) was mediated by health behaviours and social engagement (Ohrnberger et al, 2017), suggesting that…”

Is health literacy associated with mental health literacy? Findings from Mental Health Literacy Scale

“…30,31 Finally, need factors most relevant to MHL would be indicators of mental health such as exhibition of symptoms or diagnosis of mental illness and use of mental illness services as well as general health status since physical health and mental health are often correlated. [32][33][34]…”