By Wendy Haaf
Older adults who pursue hobbies may be less prone to depression and more likely to be happier and more satisfied with their lives than non-hobbyists.
To determine whether the benefits of hobbies were consistent around the world, researchers led by a team at University College London (England) examined data from more than 93,000 people aged 65 or older who were enrolled in one of five studies on aging taking place in England, the United States, China, Japan, and 12 countries across Europe. Data that spanned four to eight years showed a link—with only minor national differences—between having a hobby and subsequent drops in depressive symptoms and increases in happiness and life satisfaction.
The relationships held even after adjusting for factors such as household income and partnership status.
Source: Nature Medicine
