An Exploratory Study of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration and Psychological Distress Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia.
There was no association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and psychological distress in the total Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population, but exploratory analyses found higher vitamin D was associated with lower odds of high/very high psychological distress among females and those living remotely.
Key Findings
Results
No statistically significant association was found between serum 25(OH)D concentration and psychological distress (K5) in the total study population.
Analysis used binary logistic regression with K5 outcomes categorized as low/moderate vs. high/very high psychological distress
Sample size was n = 1983 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Data were drawn from the 2012-2013 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Survey (cross-sectional design)
Models adjusted for age, sex, education, remoteness, socioeconomic status, season, alcohol intake, and smoking
Results
Among females, higher serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly associated with lower odds of high/very high psychological distress.
Each 10 nmol/L increase in serum 25(OH)D was associated with 10% lower odds of high/very high psychological distress among females
This was identified as an exploratory sex-stratified analysis
The association was statistically significant in this subgroup despite no association in the total population
Results
Among those living in remote areas, higher serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly associated with lower odds of high/very high psychological distress.
Each 10 nmol/L increase in serum 25(OH)D was associated with 11% lower odds of high/very high psychological distress among remote-dwelling participants
This finding emerged from exploratory analyses stratified by remoteness
No such association was observed in the total population prior to stratification
Methods
The study used the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 5 (K5) as the outcome measure for psychological distress in an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander context.
K5 scores were dichotomized into low/moderate vs. high/very high psychological distress
The K5 is a culturally adapted measure used specifically for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Cross-sectional data from 1983 participants were analyzed
Background
The colonisation of Australia approximately 250 years ago has left significant enduring impacts on the mental health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, providing context for this research.
Vitamin D receptors are present in brain regions associated with mood and behaviour regulation, providing a biological rationale for investigating vitamin D and mental health
The authors note a high prevalence of low vitamin D status among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Promoting adequate vitamin D status is described as 'an important public health issue' for this population
Conclusions
The authors concluded that exploratory evidence suggests differences in the vitamin D–psychological distress relationship by sex and remoteness among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The sex-stratified finding showed females with higher 25(OH)D had 10% lower odds of high/very high distress per 10 nmol/L
The remoteness-stratified finding showed remote residents with higher 25(OH)D had 11% lower odds of high/very high distress per 10 nmol/L
Authors characterized these as 'exploratory' findings, noting the null result in the total population
The study design was cross-sectional, limiting causal inference
What This Means
This research examined whether vitamin D levels in the blood are linked to psychological distress among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia, using data from a large national health survey conducted in 2012-2013. The researchers measured vitamin D (as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D) and psychological distress (using a culturally appropriate scale called K5) in nearly 2,000 participants, and used statistical models to look for associations while accounting for factors like age, sex, education, where people live, and lifestyle habits.
Overall, the study found no clear relationship between vitamin D levels and psychological distress when looking at the entire group. However, when the researchers broke the data down by sex and by where people live, they found some suggestive patterns: women with higher vitamin D levels had about 10% lower odds of experiencing high psychological distress for every 10 nmol/L increase in vitamin D, and people living in remote areas showed a similar pattern (11% lower odds). These are described as exploratory findings, meaning they point to possible differences worth investigating further rather than definitive conclusions.
This research matters because Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face significant mental health challenges connected to the lasting impacts of colonisation, and also have high rates of low vitamin D. While this study cannot prove that raising vitamin D levels would improve mental health outcomes, the authors emphasize that maintaining adequate vitamin D remains an important public health priority for this population. Future studies with stronger research designs would be needed to determine whether the suggested links in women and remote communities reflect a true relationship.
Neo B, Nannup N, Tilbrook D, Michie C, Prior C, Dunlop E, et al.. (2026). An Exploratory Study of Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentration and Psychological Distress Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia.. Nutrients. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18101563