BACKGROUND While it is well-established that exposure to dampness or mold in homes negatively affects physical health, the association with mental health remains less well evidenced. As plausible psychosocial and biological pathways exist between dampness and mold exposure and poor mental health, a review of evidence is required. OBJECTIVE This State-of-the-Science review sought to assess what is known about the mental health effects of dampness or mold exposure and identify gaps in the literature and priorities for further research. METHODS A comprehensive search of electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Global Health, Web of Science, and Scopus) was conducted to identify relevant studies published from 2003 to 2023. Eligible studies included observational study designs such as cohort and cross-sectional studies. Target studies for review assessed the effect of dampness and/or mold on mental health outcomes. RESULTS Of the 1,169 records retrieved, 19 studies met the inclusion criteria. The available evidence described positive associations between residential dampness/mold exposure and poor mental health. In adults, associations were observed for outcomes such as depression, stress, and anxiety, while for children, associations were observed for emotional symptoms and emotional dysregulation. DISCUSSION Identified studies generally reported associations between exposure to dampness/mold in the home and poorer mental and emotional health. Given the methodological limitations present in the current evidence base, it is recommended that more research be conducted. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14341.

中文翻译：

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受潮湿和霉菌影响的住房对心理健康影响的最新科学审查。


背景技术虽然众所周知，在家中暴露于潮湿或霉菌会对身体健康产生负面影响，但其与心理健康的关联仍缺乏充分证据。由于潮湿和霉菌暴露与心理健康状况不佳之间存在合理的社会心理和生物途径，因此需要对证据进行审查。目的 本科学现状综述旨在评估潮湿或霉菌暴露对心理健康影响的已知情况，并确定文献中的空白和进一步研究的优先事项。方法 对电子数据库（MEDLINE、Embase、PsycInfo、Global Health、Web of Science 和 Scopus）进行全面检索，以确定 2003 年至 2023 年发表的相关研究。符合条件的研究包括观察性研究设计，例如队列研究和横断面研究。供审查的目标研究评估了潮湿和/或霉菌对心理健康结果的影响。结果 在检索到的 1,169 条记录中，19 项研究符合纳入标准。现有证据描述了住宅潮湿/霉菌暴露与心理健康状况不佳之间存在正相关关系。在成人中，观察到抑郁、压力和焦虑等结果的关联，而在儿童中，观察到情绪症状和情绪失调的关联。讨论 已确定的研究普遍报告了在家中暴露于潮湿/霉菌与较差的心理和情绪健康之间的关联。鉴于当前证据基础中存在的方法学局限性，建议进行更多研究。 https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP14341。