Men eating alone were 2.4 times more likely to suffer from depression than other men who ate dinner with family members. (image: Flickr/ Guian Bolisay)
SEOUL, June 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Due to long working hours and an increase in the number of single-person households, sharing dinner as a family is becoming less frequent.
A recent study has shown that a man who has dinner alone is 2.4 times more likely to suffer from depression than a person who eats dinner with other family members.
On Thursday, June 30 professor Kim Tae-hyun and his research team at the of Yonsei University’s School of Public Health revealed the analysis of a study conducted on 4,181 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2014, and found a correlation between depression and having a companion during dinner.
The research team studied the relationship between experiencing depression and gender or types of households. The Patient Health Questionnaire was used to assess the level of depression.
The results showed that those who ate dinner alone were 1.5 times more likely to feel depressed than those who shared a meal with family. This phenomenon was more evident among men. Men eating alone were 2.4 times more likely to suffer from depression than other men who ate dinner with family members.
Even men who could not eat with family members were 1.6 times more likely to feel depressed than those who could.
A recent study has shown that a man who has dinner alone is 2.4 times more likely to suffer from depression than a person who eats dinner with other family members. (Image credit: KobizMedia/Korea Bizwire)
The research team concluded that depression is intensified since eating alone strips away a chance to communicate with others and to relieve stress. As such, it can be considered that men prefer to share their thoughts and feelings with others, especially family members, to feel supported, thus becoming less discouraged.
“Busy work schedules or unhealthy family relationships are causing more people to dine alone, but they are more susceptible to feeling depressed. Eating together with companions can create a feeling of unity and stability which could help deal with stress and depression coming from workplaces,” said professor Kim.
The study was published in the latest issue of the International Journal of Social Psychiatry.
By Nonnie Kim (nkim@koreabizwire.com)
