Changes in the levels of psychological distress in eight countries of the former Soviet Union

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to compare levels of psychological distress in 2001 and 2010 in eight countries of the former Soviet Union and to explore how these changes vary for different population groups.Design/methodology/approach -Data were collected using two related studies from 2001 (n ¼ 14,242) and 2010 (n ¼ 15,081). Both studies consisted of nationally representative cross-sectional household surveys in Armenia,

Psychological Distress and Problem Drinking

“…However, mental health services and systems remain limited, and greater attention is also required on risk-factors for poor mental health such as social exclusion and widening socioeconomic inequalities (Bobak, et al, 2006;Brainerd, 2001;Jenkins, et al, 2005;Jenkins, et al, 2010;McDaid, et al, 2006;Roberts, et al, 2012;Tomov, et al, 2007).…”

“…First, the instrument used to measure psychological distress has undergone limited validation, although it does show good internal reliability, with a Cronbach's alpha score of 0.82 for the combined study sample, and alpha scores ranging from 0.77 in Kyrgyzstan to 0.86 in Armenia, and it has been shown to exhibit good external validity, being responsive to common risk-factors and changes over time (Roberts, et al, 2012). However, given the questions used to construct the CAGE variable one could argue that they plausibly vary with other factors that influence one's mental state.…”

“…As a measure of mental health, , we utilise an instrument developed specifically for this region in the earlier LLH study, consisting of a set of 14 items on psychological distress symptoms, as previously described (Cockerham, Hinote, & Abbott, 2006;Roberts, Abbott, & McKee, 2010;Roberts, et al, 2012). Respondents were asked if they had recently experienced (yes/no) any of 14 symptoms: 1) inability to concentrated, 2) insomnia, 3) feeling constantly under strain, 4) feeling you could not overcome your difficulties, 5) not enjoying daily activities, 6) losing confidence in yourself, 7) often shaking or trembling, 8) frightening thoughts coming into your mind, 9) frightening thoughts coming into your mind, 10) feelings of stress, 11) feeling lonely, 12) feeling dissatisfied with work, 13) feeling an impossibility to influence things, 14) feeling that life is too complicated.…”

“…The evidence for high levels of stress is seen in the steep increases in male suicide rates and mental disorders that followed the collapse of the Soviet Union (Andreev, Pridemore, Shkolnikov, & Antonova, 2008;Brainerd, 2001;Leon & Shkolnikov, 1998;Pietila & Rytkonen, 2008;Plavinski, Plavinskaya, & Klimov, 2003;Tomkins, et al, 2012;UNICEF, 2001;WHO/Europe, 2013). Even now, post-Soviet societies continue to be characterised by many established risk-factors for poor mental health, such as impoverishment, social instability, isolation and low levels of social welfare, and generally poor quality mental health services (Jenkins, Klein, & Parker, 2005;McDaid, Samyshkin, Jenkins, Potasheva, Nikiforov, & Ali Atun, 2006;Roberts, Abbott, & McKee, 2012;Tomov, Van Voren, Keukens, & Puras, 2007;UNDP, 2011). However, precise evidence on the burden of mental ill-health in the region remains limited (Fister & McKee, 2005;Jenkins, et al, 2005).…”

“…While the severe physical health effects of harmful alcohol use in the countries of the former Soviet Union have been described in detail (Leon, Saburova, Tomkins, McKee, & Shkolnikov, 2007; Nicholson, Bobak, Murphy, Rose, & Marmot, 2005;Shkolnikov, McKee, & Leon, 2001;Zaridze, et al, 2009), to the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined the relationship between mental health and harmful alcohol use in the fSU (Roberts, et al, 2012;WHO, 2011a).…”