Interaction between anxiety and depression on suicidal ideation, quality of life, and work productivity impairment: Results from a representative sample of the Lebanese population

PURPOSE: To assess the association between the interaction of anxiety and depression on the suicidal ideation, quality of life (QOL), and work productivity/impairment in Lebanon. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. METHODS: 1487 participants were enrolled between November 2017 and March 2018. RESULTS: The interaction of anxiety and depression (beta = .101), higher depression alone (beta = .021), higher anxiety traits (STAI-B) (beta = .007) were associated with higher suicidal ideation. Higher depression (beta = 1.177), having more anxiety traits (STAI-B) (beta = .485) and higher anxiety (STAI-A) (beta = .298) were associated with higher activity impairment. Higher depression, higher anxiety traits and state, were associated with lower mental and physical QOL. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: Screening for anxiety and depression can help clinicians improve patients' QOL and work productivity and decrease the suicidal ideation risk.