Predicting Symptoms of Depression based on Self-Reported Levels of Physical Activity Culpepper, D., Jevas, S., and Perkins, H. University of Houston
The US Surgeon General’s Report has been extremely important in enhancing the focus on the role of physical activity in enhancing mental health (Singer, 2001). Studies have identified an association between exercise and the reduction in symptoms of mild to moderate depression (Buckworth & Dishman, 2002). Symptoms of depression may be more likely to occur among people who report little or no leisure time physical activity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation of physical activity to depressive symptoms. Forty-four males (mean age = 28.81 + 10.35) and 42 females (mean age = 25.94 + 4.96) participated in this study. Each participant completed a questionnaire that included demographic information regarding age, gender, ethnicity, marital status, and level of education. Participants also completed the NASA/Johnson Space Center Physical Activity Rating Scale (PAR) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CESD). Analysis revealed that 32.2% of the subjects exhibited depressive symptoms. Significant associations were noted between PAR, marital status, and ethnicity (r = -.337, p<. 01; r = .541, p < .01; r = .275, p < .05). A logistic regression analysis was used to test the relation of exercise and depressive symptoms. The regression revealed that for every unit increase on the PAR, the probability of exhibiting depressive symptoms decreased by 42%. The regression model further revealed that race [Caucasian, Exp(B) = .153] and being single [ Exp(B) = 3.806] were significant indicators of depressive symptoms. These findings support prior conclusions that exercise is related to depression (Craft & Landers, 1998;Landers, 1998, 1999;Cooper-Patrick et. al., 1997; Farmer et.al., 1988; Stevens, 1988), Further research needs to be done to determine if depressive symptoms lead to decreased levels of physical activity or if a lack of physical activity resulted in symptoms of depression (Buckworth & Dishman 2002).