Association of hugs with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation: findings based on data from the general adult population in Germany
3
Issued Date
2025-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
21981833
eISSN
16132238
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-105019683136
Journal Title
Journal of Public Health Germany
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Journal of Public Health Germany (2025)
Suggested Citation
Hajek A., Stickley A., Zwar L., Peltzer K., Pengpid S., Gyasi R.M., Yon D.K., König H.H. Association of hugs with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation: findings based on data from the general adult population in Germany. Journal of Public Health Germany (2025). doi:10.1007/s10389-025-02627-6 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/112884
Title
Association of hugs with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation: findings based on data from the general adult population in Germany
Author's Affiliation
Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf
Mahidol University
China Medical University Hospital
University of the Free State
Brock University
KyungHee University College of Medicine
Southern Cross University
National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
College of Medical and Health Science
African Population and Health Research Center
Mahidol University
China Medical University Hospital
University of the Free State
Brock University
KyungHee University College of Medicine
Southern Cross University
National Center of Neurology and Psychiatry
Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU)
College of Medical and Health Science
African Population and Health Research Center
Corresponding Author(s)
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Aim: To investigate the association between the frequency of hugs and probable depression, probable anxiety, and suicidal ideation in the German adult population. Subject and methods: Cross-sectional data were used from the German general adult population aged 18 to 74 years (representative in terms of sex, age, and federal state) with n = 3270 that were obtained in an online survey in January 2025. The frequency of daily hugs served as the independent variable. Probable depression and anxiety were quantified using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) or Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), respectively. Suicidal ideation was assessed using the final item of the PHQ-9. Logistic regression was used to examine associations. Robustness checks were also conducted. Results: Hugging others (on average one and two to three; compared to individuals not hugging others) on a daily basis is associated with lower odds of probable depression (e.g., hugging one individual: OR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.83), probable anxiety (e.g., hugging one individual: OR 0.73; 95% CI, 0.56 to 0.95), and suicidal ideation (e.g., hugging one individual: OR 0.66; 95% CI, 0.52 to 0.85). Hugging on average two to three individuals daily was also associated with significantly lower odds for all outcomes, whereas hugging four or more individuals was only significantly associated with lower odds of probable depression. Conclusion: Hugging one to three individuals each day may assist in preventing poor mental health. However, future longitudinal evidence is needed to confirm this.