Work and leisure time dissatisfaction is a risk factor for depressive symptoms among Japanese older adults: A 2.5-year prospective cohort study

We aimed to determine the effects of baseline (T0) satisfaction with work and leisure time activities on the onset of depressive symptoms at follow-up (T1). In this prospective study in Japan, we included 1841 older adults aged ≥ 60 years. Participants were categorized into both dissatisfied, work dissatisfied, leisure time dissatisfied, and both satisfied groups based on baseline assessement (T0). Compared with the both satisfied group, the leisure time dissatisfied, work dissatisfied, and both dissatisfied groups had higher odds ratios for the onset of depressive symptoms at follow-up (T1). In the subgroup analysis, the both dissatisfied group showed associations with depressive symptoms, regardless of sex. The work dissatisfied and leisure time dissatisfied groups showed associations with the onset of depressive symptoms in only men and women, respectively. The risk for the onset of depressive symptoms was the highest when dissatisfaction with work and leisure time activities coexisted.