To obtain the relevant information needed the subjects were asked to complete a survey asking whether they lived alone, or if there were other people within their household. Environment factors taken into consideration were their income, employment, working environment, education, housing conditions and social support. Alongside health factors such as smoking, drinking habits and their exercise routine, if any.
The outcome of this research concluded the participants that lived alone brought 80% more antidepressants in the follow up period between 2000 and 2008, than the participants that lived alongside others. Researchers have said that living with others offers you emotional support and social interaction that can help prevent mental health problems, on the contrary living alone deprives you of these, which can lead to feelings of isolation, social anxiety and a lack of trust all of these being common contributors to depression. ‘Loneliness and isolation results in people having fewer outlets to talk about how they are feeling, which is something that we know can really help to manage and recover from a mental health problem’ (Beth Murphy, Mind, 2012)
The problems that I find with this sort of research are that the subjects may not have been honest on the surveys they were asked to complete. I would also question the willingness of people with depression to come forward and participate in a study of this sort, from my understanding depression, depending on how severe, can make you less willing to socialize unless necessary. There is also no mention of a second questionnaire with the follow up to keep the data accurate. Anti-depressants can also be used to treat other illnesses such as obsessive compulsive disorder and anxiety problems. These problems are also pointed out by the leader of the project
"This kind of study usually underestimates risk because the people who are at the most risk tend to be the people who are least likely to complete the follow up. We were also not able to judge how common untreated depression was." (Dr Laura Pulkki-Raback, 2012)
In conclusion to reading the article agree with the findings but do think that the research could have been more thorough for example, conducting a second questionnaire to find out if peoples living situations had indeed changed and those that were living alone were had moved in with others and vice versa.
Referencing
BBC News. (2012). People living alone 'are more depressed'. Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17475240. Last accessed 5th Oct 2012.
by
amywatts1 (student)
