Depression, Anxiety and Antidepressants and Anxiolytics Use in Spanish Informal Caregivers according to the Physical Activity Frequency: EHSS 2014–2020
Angel Denche-Zamorano,
Yeray Rodriguez-Redondo,
Sabina Barrios-Fernandez,
María Mendoza-Muñoz,
Jorge Rojo-Ramos,
Miguel Angel Garcia-Gordillo,
Jose C. Adsuar,
Laura Muñoz-Bermejo
Affiliations
Angel Denche-Zamorano
Promoting a Healthy Society Research Group (PHeSO), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain
Yeray Rodriguez-Redondo
Social Impact and Innovation in Health (InHEALTH), University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain
Sabina Barrios-Fernandez
Occupation, Participation, Sustainability and Quality of Life (Ability Research Group), Nursing and Occupational Therapy College, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
María Mendoza-Muñoz
Research Group on Physical and Health Literacy and Health-Related Quality of Life (PHYQOL), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
Jorge Rojo-Ramos
Physical Activity for Education, Performance and Health, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain
Miguel Angel Garcia-Gordillo
Universidad Autónoma de Chile, Talca 3467987, Chile
Jose C. Adsuar
Promoting a Healthy Society Research Group (PHeSO), Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain
Laura Muñoz-Bermejo
Social Impact and Innovation in Health (InHEALTH), University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain
Depression and anxiety are two of the most common mental diseases both in formal and nonformal caregivers. Physical activity during leisure time seems to have benefits on their practitioner’s mental health. This study aimed to analyze the associations between physical activity frequency (PAF) and depression and anxiety status, as well as antidepressant and anxiolytic use in Spanish nonformal caregivers. A cross-sectional study with data from the 2014 and 2020 European Health Interview Surveys in Spain (EHSS) including 4520 Spanish nonformal caregivers was carried out. The PAF was found to be related to depression and anxiety, as well as antidepressants and anxiolytics use (p p p p < 0.001). Being female, older, and dedicating more hours per week to caregiving and caring for nonfamily members were found to have increased risks of depression, anxiety and antidepressants or anxiolytics use. Nonformal caregivers who were not physically active during their leisure time had higher mental disorders and psychotropic drug use proportions than the active and very active caregivers. Thus, increasing nonformal caregivers’ PAF could be a protective tool.