The Relationship Between Testosterone Levels and Depression Mordbidity
Disciplines
Neuroscience and Neurobiology | Psychology
Abstract (300 words maximum)
Following the mental health epidemic of the Covid-19 quarantine period, depression has become a mainstream health topic which affects roughly 4.7% of the adult population at some point throughout their lives (CDC, 2023). Depression can affect every part of a person’s ability to function and enjoy daily life, so understanding the biological context for depression could help to increase the rate of early diagnoses and efficient treatment methods. A large number of depressive symptoms can be related to sex hormone levels like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The goal of this research centers around understanding the relationship between the expression of depressive symptoms and a person’s testosterone levels. The participant samples were evaluated through a secondary analysis from an overarching study. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire and the DASS-21 (Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). The DASS is a 21-item questionnaire that assesses depression and anxiety in the normal population. Saliva samples were collected from participants and evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). We hypothesize that testosterone will not affect the rate of depression overall but the individual expression of symptoms (i.e. suicidality, eating habits, and sleeping habits) may be related to testosterone. Data is undergoing analysis, currently.
Sources
CDC. (2023, November 6). FastStats - Depression. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/depression.htm
Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales. (2nd Ed.)Sydney: Psychology Foundation.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
RCHSS - Psychological Science
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Sharon Pearcey
Additional Faculty
Ebony Glover, Neuroscience, eglove12@kennesaw.edu
The Relationship Between Testosterone Levels and Depression Mordbidity
Following the mental health epidemic of the Covid-19 quarantine period, depression has become a mainstream health topic which affects roughly 4.7% of the adult population at some point throughout their lives (CDC, 2023). Depression can affect every part of a person’s ability to function and enjoy daily life, so understanding the biological context for depression could help to increase the rate of early diagnoses and efficient treatment methods. A large number of depressive symptoms can be related to sex hormone levels like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. The goal of this research centers around understanding the relationship between the expression of depressive symptoms and a person’s testosterone levels. The participant samples were evaluated through a secondary analysis from an overarching study. Participants completed a demographics questionnaire and the DASS-21 (Depression and Anxiety Stress Scale; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995). The DASS is a 21-item questionnaire that assesses depression and anxiety in the normal population. Saliva samples were collected from participants and evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). We hypothesize that testosterone will not affect the rate of depression overall but the individual expression of symptoms (i.e. suicidality, eating habits, and sleeping habits) may be related to testosterone. Data is undergoing analysis, currently.
Sources
CDC. (2023, November 6). FastStats - Depression. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/depression.htm
Lovibond, S.H. & Lovibond, P.F. (1995). Manual for the Depression Anxiety & Stress Scales. (2nd Ed.)Sydney: Psychology Foundation.