Common mental disorders and leisure in a community sample in São Paulo State

Abstract

Studies have shown a high prevalence of mental disorders, but few studies have investigated the association between mental disorders and leisure. Objective: To investigate the relationship between Common Mental Disorders (CMD) and leisure, in a sample of adult users of a family health unit. Method: This cross-sectional study used a questionnaire to investigate sociodemographic characteristics and leisure activities in the six months prior to the interview. The presence of CMD was considered the outcome variable, investigated using the Self-Reporting Questionnaire. Leisure activities were categorized and analyzed as a categorical variable. Multivariate analysis was conducted using logistic regression models to control for confounding variables. Results: The sample consisted of 189 participants, with a response rate of 75.9%. The prevalence of CMD was 24.3%. Univariate analysis showed an association between leisure and CMD, but this association did not persist after adjusting for sex. Conclusions: In the present study, leisure was a protective factor for CMD among men, but not among women, suggesting that sociocultural factors may influence the relationship between gender and leisure. It is concluded that further studies could improve the investigation of the potential benefit of leisure for mental health.