Gardening/Yard Work and Depressive Symptoms in African Americans

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2016 Apr;30(2):155-61. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2015.08.004. Epub 2015 Aug 7.

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the frequency of gardening/yard work in relation to depressive symptoms in African-Americans while controlling for biological and social factors.

Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on the National Survey of American Life (n=2,903) using logistic regression for complex samples. Gardening/Yard work was measured by self-reported frequency. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale.

Results: Biological and social factors, not gardening/yard work, were associated with depressive symptoms.

Conclusions: Biological and social factors may need to be addressed before the association between gardening/yard work and depressive symptoms can be determined.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / ethnology*
  • Female
  • Gardening / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Report
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Support