Association between bathing habits and mental health among young population

Abstract

【Background】

While associations between bathing in tubs or hot springs and mental health have been reported, studies focusing on younger populations are limited. This study targeted university students in the Kyushu region of Japan, aiming to clarify the mental health status of young individuals and to examine the relationship between bathing habits and mental health.

【Methods】

The participants were 70 university students from the Kyushu region of Japan. A web-based questionnaire was used to collect information on age, sex, nationality, mental health status (assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale: K6), subjective health status, and the environments and habits related to tub and hot spring bathing. To clarify the associations between mental health and subjective health status, as well as tub and hot spring bathing habits—and between subjective health status and these bathing habits—statistical analysis was conducted using the chi-square test.

【Results】

Participants who reported “good” subjective health status had a significantly higher proportion of individuals with “no mental health problems” compared to those who reported “neutral” or “poor” subjective health status. Furthermore, participants who reported more frequent hot spring bathing throughout the year had a significantly higher proportion of “good” subjective health status compared to those with lower usage frequency.

【Conclusion】

This study suggests that regular and long-term hot spring bathing habits may improve subjective health status and potentially help prevent mental health issues such as depression and anxiety disorders.