Sociodemographic Factors, Health-Risk Behaviors, and Chronic Conditions Are Associated with a High Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms: Findings from the Indonesian Family Life Survey-5

Abstract

Depression is a significant public health challenge. However, limited research exists regarding the risk of sociodemographic factors, health-risk behavior, and chronic conditions in relation to the development of depression in Indonesia. This study assesses the prevalence of depressive symptoms in adolescents and adults, and identifies its potential associations with sociodemographic factors, health-risk behaviors, and chronic conditions. A national cross-sectional population-based survey was performed, using the Indonesian Family Life Survey (IFLS-5), to assess depressive symptoms in respondents aged 15 years and older. Depression was evaluated using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D) scale, and potential associations with sociodemographic factors, health-risk behaviors, and chronic conditions were examined using logistic regression analysis. The study revealed a high prevalence of depressive symptoms, with the highest incidence observed in the age group of 25–34 years. Factors such as unmarried status, younger age, good physical activity, and having chronic conditions showed associations with depression. These findings have implications for developing public mental health strategies to reduce the prevalence of depression in Indonesia.