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Edmond D. Shenassa, ScD, Constantine Daskalakis, ScD, Allison Liebhaber, BA, Matthias Braubach, MPH and MaryJean Brown, ScD, RN

Edmond D. Shenassa is with the Division of Epidemiology, Department of Community Health, Brown School of Medicine, Providence, RI. At the time of study, Allison Lieb-haber was with the Department of Community Health, Brown School of Medicine, Providence. Constantine Daskalakis is with the Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pa. Matthias Braubach is with the World Health Organization, Bonn, Germany. MaryJean Brown is with the Department of Society, Human Development, and Health, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, Mass.

Correspondence: Requests for reprints should be sent to Edmond D. Shenassa, ScD, Department of Community Health, Brown Medical School, 121 South Main St, Providence, RI 02912 (e-mail: Edmond_Shenassa{at}Brown.edu).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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				Link Suggested for Depression and Living with Dampness and Mold Journal Watch Psychiatry, January 7, 2008; 2008(107): 3 - 3. [Full Text]