Influence of Birth Season on Depression Risk in Men: A Closer Look
Research shows a slight link between season of birth and depression symptoms in men, highlighting environmental influences during gestation that may impact mental health.
Recent research indicates that the season in which an individual is born may have a subtle yet noteworthy correlation with depression symptoms, particularly in men. A study conducted by Kwantlen Polytechnic University examined the relationship between birth season and mental health outcomes in adults, revealing that men born during the summer months reported slightly higher levels of depressive symptoms compared to those born in other seasons. Interestingly, the study found no meaningful link between birth season and anxiety symptoms for either sex.
The study involved 303 participants from Vancouver, predominantly women (65%), with an average age of 26 years. Data collection occurred online between January and March 2024, utilizing standardized assessments like the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 scales to evaluate depression and anxiety severity. Participants' birth months were categorized by meteorological season, and statistical models were employed to analyze associations, considering factors such as age, income, and geographical latitude.
The findings showed that 84% of respondents exhibited depressive symptoms above the clinical threshold, and 66% reported anxiety symptoms, surpassing national averages—likely influenced by the young, student-centric sample. While women’s depression scores showed no significant association with birth season, men born in summer had marginally higher depression scores than their counterparts born in other seasons.
The absence of a link between season of birth and anxiety underscores the specific connection with depression, which might be explained by early environmental exposures during gestation—like variations in maternal diet, exposure to infections, changes in daylight, or temperature fluctuations—that influence neurodevelopment. The research suggests that birth season could serve as a proxy indicator for such early life environmental factors impacting depression risk, especially in men.
However, the study's constraints include its cross-sectional design, a data collection period limited to winter, and a convenience sample heavily composed of students. These limitations highlight the need for further longitudinal research to better understand causality and broader applicability.
In conclusion, this study adds to the growing body of evidence that early environmental factors linked to seasonality may play a role in mental health, notably affecting depression risk in men. Future investigations should explore biological mechanisms like photoperiod effects, maternal nutrition, and immune responses during pregnancy that could underpin these associations.
Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-08-season-birth-slight-association-depression.html
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