Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide
Abstract Background Depression poses a significant global public health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. The utilization of renewable energy holds potential for improving mental health by reducing air pollution and promoting green spaces. Purpose This study aims to investigate the...
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BMC
2025-05-01
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| Series: | BMC Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22323-0 |
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| author | Zheng Zhang Huijie Xu Cui Liping Yuanyuan Wang |
| author_facet | Zheng Zhang Huijie Xu Cui Liping Yuanyuan Wang |
| author_sort | Zheng Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Depression poses a significant global public health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. The utilization of renewable energy holds potential for improving mental health by reducing air pollution and promoting green spaces. Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of renewable energy use on depression, with a focus on its spatial effects and the mediating roles of air pollution reduction and green space expansion. Methods Data from 181 countries were analyzed using a two-way fixed effects model and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). Depression-related metrics, including Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Age-Standardized Disability-Adjusted Life Years Rate (ASDR), prevalence, and Age-Standardized Prevalence Rate (ASPR), were evaluated. Results Renewable energy use significantly reduces DALYs, ASDR, prevalence, and ASPR within a country, but it also significantly increases the risk of depression in neighboring countries. The impact of renewable energy on depression varies by gender, age, and SDI level, being more pronounced for males and the 50–74 age group. The effect is significant in high and low SDI countries but not in middle SDI countries, indicating a "middle-income trap." Conclusion Renewable energy can improve mental health by reducing air pollution and promoting green spaces. However, policymakers need to consider spatial effects and tailor policies accordingly to maximize health benefits. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-8fd16a4eba514cbba25ddd52afa3f17d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1471-2458 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-8fd16a4eba514cbba25ddd52afa3f17d2025-08-20T03:09:21ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-05-0125111410.1186/s12889-025-22323-0Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwideZheng Zhang0Huijie Xu1Cui Liping2Yuanyuan Wang3Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal UniversitySchool of Education, Huazhong University of Science and TechnologyHuman Resources Department, Hebei Vocational University of Technology and EngineeringKey Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, China; School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal UniversityAbstract Background Depression poses a significant global public health challenge, affecting millions of people worldwide. The utilization of renewable energy holds potential for improving mental health by reducing air pollution and promoting green spaces. Purpose This study aims to investigate the impact of renewable energy use on depression, with a focus on its spatial effects and the mediating roles of air pollution reduction and green space expansion. Methods Data from 181 countries were analyzed using a two-way fixed effects model and the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM). Depression-related metrics, including Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), Age-Standardized Disability-Adjusted Life Years Rate (ASDR), prevalence, and Age-Standardized Prevalence Rate (ASPR), were evaluated. Results Renewable energy use significantly reduces DALYs, ASDR, prevalence, and ASPR within a country, but it also significantly increases the risk of depression in neighboring countries. The impact of renewable energy on depression varies by gender, age, and SDI level, being more pronounced for males and the 50–74 age group. The effect is significant in high and low SDI countries but not in middle SDI countries, indicating a "middle-income trap." Conclusion Renewable energy can improve mental health by reducing air pollution and promoting green spaces. However, policymakers need to consider spatial effects and tailor policies accordingly to maximize health benefits.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22323-0Renewable energyDepressionEnvironmental pollutionGreen spaceSpatial effectsDALYs |
| spellingShingle | Zheng Zhang Huijie Xu Cui Liping Yuanyuan Wang Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide BMC Public Health Renewable energy Depression Environmental pollution Green space Spatial effects DALYs |
| title | Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide |
| title_full | Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide |
| title_fullStr | Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide |
| title_full_unstemmed | Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide |
| title_short | Renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries: evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide |
| title_sort | renewable energy reduces domestic depression but increases depression for neighboring countries evidence of spatial effects from 181 countries worldwide |
| topic | Renewable energy Depression Environmental pollution Green space Spatial effects DALYs |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22323-0 |
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