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Journal article
Association of hugs with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation: findings based on data from the general adult population in Germany
Journal of public health, Vol.First online
25/10/2025
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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.
Details
- Title
- Association of hugs with depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation: findings based on data from the general adult population in Germany
- Creators
- André Hajek - University Medical Center Hamburg-EppendorfAndrew Stickley - National Center of Neurology and PsychiatryLarissa Zwar - Brock UniversityKarl Peltzer - Mahidol UniversitySupa Pengpid - Mahidol UniversityRazak M. Gyasi - African Population and Health Research CenterDong Keon Yon - Kyung Hee University College of Medicine (South Korea, Seoul)Hans-Helmut König - University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
- Publication Details
- Journal of public health, Vol.First online
- Publisher
- Springer Nature; HEIDELBERG
- Grant note
- Open Access funding enabled and organized by Projekt DEAL.
- Identifiers
- 991013324323702368
- Copyright
- © The Author(s) 2025
- Academic Unit
- National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article