Physical activity and depression symptoms in women with chronic illness and the mediating role of health-related quality of life

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of physical activity on depression symptom severity in women 45 years and older with a chronic illness diagnosis, and explore relations between physical activity and psychological and health-related characteristics predicting depression symptoms. Methods: 1932 women diagnosed with one of five chronic illnesses: asthma, depression, diabetes, osteoarthritis, or osteoporosis participated in a sub-study of the 45 and Up Study—a cross-sectional study of people aged 45 years and older. The survey included items measuring demographics, depression symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), health-related hardiness, sleep quality, and health behaviours, such as physical activity. Results: A multiple regression model explained 43% of the variance in depression symptoms (R 2 = 0.43, F (18) = 61.72, p