Interaction between anxiety and depression on suicidal ideation, quality of life, and work productivity impairment: Results from a representative sample of the Lebanese population

Perspect Psychiatr Care. 2020 Apr;56(2):270-279. doi: 10.1111/ppc.12423. Epub 2019 Jul 19.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the association between the interaction of anxiety and depression on the suicidal ideation, quality of life (QOL), and work productivity/impairment in Lebanon.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Methods: 1487 participants were enrolled between November 2017 and March 2018.

Results: The interaction of anxiety and depression (β = .101), higher depression alone (β = .021), higher anxiety traits (STAI-B) (β = .007) were associated with higher suicidal ideation. Higher depression (β = 1.177), having more anxiety traits (STAI-B) (β = .485) and higher anxiety (STAI-A) (β = .298) were associated with higher activity impairment. Higher depression, higher anxiety traits and state, were associated with lower mental and physical QOL.

Practice implications: Screening for anxiety and depression can help clinicians improve patients' QOL and work productivity and decrease the suicidal ideation risk.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; quality of life; suicidal ideation; work productivity.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anxiety / epidemiology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology*
  • Efficiency*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lebanon / epidemiology
  • Linear Models
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Quality of Life*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sampling Studies
  • Suicidal Ideation*
  • Work / physiology
  • Work / psychology
  • Young Adult