Handgrip Strength in Individuals With Major Depressive Disorder: Associations With Psychosocial and Physical Factors

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects not only mood and cognition but also physical functioning. This study aimed to examine the associations of handgrip strength with depression severity, self-esteem, and orthorexic tendencies in individuals with MDD.Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 63 patients diagnosed with MDD and 50 healthy controls were included. Depression severity was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, self-esteem using the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and orthorexic tendencies using the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory. Handgrip strength was measured with a digital hand dynamometer according to standard procedures.Results: Compared with controls, the MDD group had significantly higher depression scores and lower handgrip strength. Self-esteem was also significantly poorer in the MDD group, whereas orthorexic tendencies did not differ significantly between groups. In patients with MDD, handgrip strength was negatively correlated with depression severity and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale scores, but not with age or orthorexic tendencies. In multiple linear regression analysis, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale score was the only independent variable significantly associated with handgrip strength. Among patients with MDD, those with a history of suicide attempt had significantly lower self-esteem, while handgrip strength, depression severity, and orthorexic tendencies were similar.Conclusion: Handgrip strength may serve as an objective indicator of physical functioning associated with psychological vulnerability in MDD. Self-esteem appears to be the factor most strongly linked to reduced handgrip strength in this population.