Geographical variation in rates of common mental disorders in Britain: prospective cohort study

S Weich, L Twigg, G Lewis, K Jones

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle (Academic Journal)peer-review

44 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background. There is little geographical variation in the prevalence of the common mental disorders. However, there is little longitudinal research. Aims. To estimate variance in rates of common mental disorders at individual, household and electoral ward levels prospectively. Method. A 12-month cohort study of 7659 adults aged 16-74 years in 4338 private households, in 626 electoral wards. Data were collected as part of the British Household Panel Survey. Common mental disorders were assessed using the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ). Ward-level socio-economic deprivation was measured using the Carstairs index. Results. Less than 1% of total variance, in onset and maintenance of common mental disorders and change in GHQ score between waves, occurred at ward level. However, 12% of variance, which is a statistically significant difference, was found at household level (a much smaller geographical unit) and this difference remained after further analyses. Conclusions. Ward level socio-economic deprivation does not influence the onset and maintenance of common mental disorders in Britain but local factors at the household level do. Reasons for this remain unclear.
Translated title of the contributionGeographical variation in rates of common mental disorders in Britain: prospective cohort study
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)29 - 34
Number of pages6
JournalBritish Journal of Psychiatry
Volume187 (1)
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2005

Bibliographical note

Publisher: Royal College of Psychiatrists

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