Social Factors of Depressive Symptoms in an Urban Community Population

Won, Eun Kyung; Choi, Hee Yeon; Kim, Soo In; Kim, Eui Jung; Ryoo, Jae Hong

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the correlates of social factors and life stress in an urban population.
METHODS
932 residents of Yangcheongu, Seoul were selected using multi-phasic cluster sampling method to represent each district. Trained interviewers visited each separate household individually and collected self-reported questionnaires, which represent socio-demographic characteristics of community residents. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms (CES-D score over 21). Global Assessment of Recent stress (GARS) was used to evaluate life stress level.
RESULTS
The prevalence of depressive symptoms in men was 11.8%, while in women it was 14.1%. Depressive symptoms were higher in divorced or separated persons, those with lower family incomes, high self-assessed level of stress scores, and frequent alcohol drinking patterns. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, high level of stress scores was independently associated with depressive symptoms. Sudden changes in relationship, sickness/injury and ordinary daily stress subscales were significantly associated with depressive symptoms when other subscales were controlled.
CONCLUSION
Compared with point prevalence of depressive disorder, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in an urban population is relatively higher. The assessment of life stress level, especially for sudden changes in relationship, sickness/injury or ordinary daily stress, can be used as an effective screening tool for detection and prevention of depressive disorder.