Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38483542›Full record

ArticleSocial psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology2024

Testing a syndemics perspective on the effects of multiple adversities on depression and anxiety symptoms in a representative population sample.

Philip J Batterham, Amy Dawel, Kristen Murray, Yiyun Shou, Amelia Gulliver, Nicolas Cherbuin, Louise M Farrer

Open access · hybridAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
1.9field-weighted citation impact, top 16% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed, 3 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Article
  2. Longitudinal effects of bushfire harm on adolescent mental health.The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry · 2026
    Article
  3. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 1 institution in 2 countries.

Philip J BatterhamCentre for Mental Health Research, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia. philip.batterham@anu.edu.au.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4547-6876
Amy DawelSchool of Medicine and Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Kristen MurraySchool of Medicine and Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Yiyun ShouSchool of Medicine and Psychology, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Amelia GulliverCentre for Mental Health Research, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Nicolas CherbuinCentre for Research on Ageing, Health and Wellbeing, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia.
Louise M FarrerCentre for Mental Health Research, College of Health and Medicine, The Australian National University, 63 Eggleston Road, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia.
Australian National University · AU

Funding

Australian Research Council DE190101382
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeConsiderable empirical evidence indicates that stressful life experiences may have a negative impact on mental health. However, it is unclear how multiple adverse experiences may intersect to influence symptoms of depression and anxiety. Using a syndemics approach to identify potential synergistic effects between major stressors, we aimed to quantify the roles of multiple recent adverse life experiences on depression and anxiety symptoms.

methodsA population-representative sample of 1090 Australian adults (53% women, M

resultsThe most common adverse life experiences in the past year were financial problems (64%), loneliness (63%), or a major health problem (51%). In multivariate logistic regression analyses, financial problems, personal health problems, health problems in a close contact, relationship problems and loneliness were significantly associated with both depression and anxiety symptoms (p < 0.05). There was just one synergistic interaction and one buffering interaction of combined adversities on anxiety, and no synergistic interactions of adverse experiences on depression. The perceived impact of combined adversities was associated with both depression (b = 0.59, p < 0.001) and anxiety (b = 0.48, p < 0.001).

conclusionAdversity was strongly associated with depression and anxiety. Inconsistent with a syndemics framework, there were very few synergistic relationships between different types of adversities, suggesting that different adverse experiences may independently influence mental health. The findings indicate important opportunities for early intervention to prevent depression and anxiety during difficult times.

Indexed as

AnxietyDepressionLonelinessAdultAgedAustraliaCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansLife Change EventsMaleMental HealthMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesStress, PsychologicalSyndemicAdversityAnxietyDepressionSyndemics

Identifiers

PMID38483542
PMCPMC11522096
OpenAlexW4392808809

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.