SOC363: 3. Prevalence and Social Patterns Flashcards
History of Prevalence Studies
The 1994 NCS – the original national study of prevalence using the CIDI (Composite International Diagnostic Interview).
History of Prevalence Studies
NCS based on DSM-III-R, NCS-R based on DSM-IV, which had more stringent requirements for “clinical significance”
History of Prevalence Studies
More disorders measured in the NCS-R, including disorders usually thought of as childhood problems + “anger” disorders
Expanded consideration of international criteria
Prevalence in the 1994 NCS
anxiety prevalent - 24.9%
substance use most prevalent - 26.6%
as we go through life we have experiences we don’t really label
Prevalence in the 1994 NCS
estimated 48% has at least 1 disorder - that’s high of the pop
shift focus on multiple episodes
depressive + anxiety: 21% W, 12% M, 30% W, 19% M
substance: 35% M, 17% W
Main Points
very high prevalence of lifetime disorder (48%).
trade-off in gender patterns
“Co-morbidity” makes this possible.
For depression, anxiety, alcohol – each experienced by at least 1 in 5 (20%).
The NCS – R (Replication) - 2005
Concordance of diagnoses between the CIDI for the DSM-IV and blind separate clinical assessments much higher than in previous studies — a good thing..
The NCS – R (Replication) - 2005
NCS had emphasized early onset between ages 18-25.
approximation probes between major life markers + more precise wording – “do you remember the exact age..?”
Prevalence in the NCS-R
Anxiety disorders slightly more prevalent – more measured
Mood disorders similar – almost exactly the same
“disruptive behavior” disorders: 1 in 4 lifetime
Prevalence in the NCS-R
Substance use – noticeably less prevalent: new criteria, but alcohol same overall.
drug use droped off younger cohorts
Any disorder: same.
Age and Cohort Patterns — Hard to Decode
Kessler presents age distributions for these disorders
diff rates of onset at diff points in life
Age and Cohort Patterns — Hard to Decode
could be:
- effect of aging on the disorder, or…
- Cohort differences overall in risk
Age and Cohort Patterns — Hard to Decode
Why? rate depends somewhat on whether ppl in that age group are in or beyond typical age of onset
Age Distributions
Few differences across first three age groups, and…
Major drop in rates at 60+
Likely cohort effect, if exposure to first onset is complete in all groups
Age Distributions
45-59 includes mainly WWII and baby boomers, and 45 and under younger groups – the discovery of psychological interpretations of behavior.
Trends reflect largely cohort differences in rates overall.
Lifetime projections of risk
projecting distributions by age forward to age 75.
Some disorders have a later age at risk profile than others; this equalizes that problem
Lifetime projections of risk
Results:
Very similar rate for anxiety disorders
rates for mood disorders 34% higher – implies about 28%
Lifetime projections of risk
12% higher for substance abuse
9% higher for any disorder – thus around 50% of the population
Age of Onset
first onset of major mental disorders occurred during the adult transition (18-24).
Results here are different, in part because of the new ways of asking about it.
Age of Onset
Anxiety disorders earlier than previously thought (median age = 11)
Mood disorders later (median age = 30) – over a broader time period (higher projected lifetime rates (28%)
Age of Onset
Disruptive Behavior Disorders also occur early, as expected
anxiety occur early as child - recognizable
disorders affect education
mood disorders - early to middle adulthood, spread out
Social Patterns (2005)
Odds ratios relative to a reference group. Means relative risk
2.1 for previously married for any disorder means 2.1 times more likely than the married.
Social Patterns (1994)
Same patterns ten years earlier.
Similar, but income shows important inverse risk pattern.
Note education is difficult to read here as well.
Consistent Differences (U.S.)
Gender trade-off in expression, not level, crucial issue in interpretation…
How could rates among such disadvantaged groups as Blacks and Hispanics in the U.S. be lower?
Consistent Differences (U.S.)
Marital status still protective, despite its reputation..
Education categories emphasize the complexity of level vs. discontinuity.
Income as a measure of SES may be more consistent.
Prevalence in Toronto 1991
Pattern quite similar to the original NCS.
Rates not significantly lower
Social Patterns in Toronto 1991
Odds ratios relative to a reference group:
Females had 1.6 times the chance relative to males of having a depression or anxiety disorder.
Social Patterns in Toronto 1991
Marital status, gender show classic pattern
Note nativity and minority status.
Social Patterns in Toronto 1991
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Social Patterns of Distress: Same or Different as Disorder?
six established social patterns of distress, and they do largely mirror the patterns for mood and anxiety disorder.
Social Patterns of Distress: Same or Different as Disorder?
Females higher rates of distress
Married less distressed.
SES inversely related to distress.
Social Patterns of Distress: Same or Different as Disorder?
Parents with children at home more distressed (unique)
Undesirable life changes (stressors) related to distress (the effect of social stress)
Social Patterns of Distress: Same or Different as Disorder?
Age is curvilinear, with middle-aged people the least depressed, older people the least anxious (unique)
Others Not Considered Here
Williams on race: higher on distress, lower on risk of disorder Chronic stressors (strongly) related to distress.
Others Not Considered Here
Note: in explaining SES, M and R suggest:
daily grind-the problems that are always there-wear at the nerves and demoralize the spirit. Some people have many problems and fewer resources to solve them.
Childhood traumas related to distress later in life.