TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2007//
TI  - Dampness and mold in the home and depression: an examination of mold-related illness and perceived control of one's home as possible depression pathways
JO  - American journal of public health
A1  - Shenassa, Edmond D.
A1  - Daskalakis, Constantine
A1  - Liebhaber, Allison
A1  - Braubach, Matthias
A1  - Brown, MaryJean
SP  - 1893
EP  - 1899
VL  - 97
IS  - 10
N2  - OBJECTIVES: We evaluated a previously reported association between residence in a damp and moldy dwelling and the risk of depression and investigated whether depression was mediated by perception of control over one's home or mold-related physical illness. <br><br>METHODS: We used survey data from 8 European cities. A dampness and mold score was created from resident- and inspector-reported data. Depression was assessed using a validated index of depressive symptoms. <br><br>RESULTS: Dampness or mold in the home was associated with depression (odds ratio [OR]=1.39, 1.44, and 1.34, for minimal, moderate, and extensive exposure, respectively, compared with no exposure). This association became attenuated when perception of control (OR=1.34, 1.40, and 1.24; global P=.069) or a physical health index (OR = 1.32, 1.37, and 1.15; global P=.104) was included in the model. The mediation effects of perception of control over one's home and by physical health appeared to be additive. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Dampness and mold were associated with depression, independent of individual and housing characteristics. This association was independently mediated by perception of control over one's home and by physical health.    Keywords: Socioeconomic factors, Social inequalities, Home safety<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0090-0036
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2006.093773
ID  - ref1
ER  -