Summer-born men more prone to depression, research reveals
In a groundbreaking study, researchers at Kwantlen Polytechnic University in British Columbia, Canada, have discovered a potential link between birth timing and mental health, specifically suggesting that men born in the summer may be more vulnerable to developing depression than those born at other times of the year.
The study, published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, involved an online survey of 303 adults who provided basic demographic information and answered questionnaires to assess their level of anxiety and depression. After controlling for factors like age and income, the researchers found that summer-born men were noticeably more likely to report depression symptoms than men born at other times.
However, the unanswered question is why being born in the summer could be specifically worse for men but not women. One theory is that environmental conditions of the mother during pregnancy might be related to the observed correlation. Mika Mokkonen, one of the study authors, suggests that these environmental factors could include variations in sunlight, temperature, and related biological and social influences.
Regardless of the season they were born in, a majority of the people in the study reported having at least some symptoms of anxiety (66%) and depression (84%). This suggests that other factors, such as social and cultural influences, may also play a role in the development of depression.
Indeed, social and cultural factors have been shown to strongly influence how males experience and express depression and loneliness. For instance, social norms discouraging emotional openness in men from an early age may potentially exacerbate depressive symptoms or delay help-seeking.
While the study only shows a correlation between seasonality at birth and depression in men, not definitively proving that being born in the summer shapes men's mental health, it opens up a new avenue for research. The researchers plan to continue investigating how maternal factors, including the mother's diet and circulating hormone levels, can affect the later health of their children.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a form of depression linked to seasonal changes, usually emerging in late fall and winter due to reduced sunlight exposure, which affects circadian rhythms and neurotransmitter regulation. Although SAD is not limited to males, seasonal factors like light availability during early life have been hypothesized to affect brain development and long-term mental health vulnerability.
As more research is needed to replicate and expand on this preliminary finding, it is important to remember that depression is a complex condition influenced by a combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors. If you or someone you know is struggling with depression, please seek help from a healthcare professional.
The study, published in the journal PLOS Mental Health, could pave the way for future research into the impact of seasonal factors on human health-and-wellness, particularly mental health. The researchers plan to investigate how maternal factors might influence the future health of children, including mental health. Mika Mokkonen, one of the study authors, suggests that these maternal factors could include variations in sunlight, temperature, and related biological and social influences. Gizmodo reports that these findings could have significant implications for the field of science, as they could help further our understanding of the complex relationship between birth timing, mental health, and environmental factors. If this research continues to show a correlation, it might lead to new solutions and preventative measures for mental health issues, benefitting society in the long term.
