Relationship of social and economic factors to mental disorders among population-based samples of Jamaicans and Guyanese

Abstract

BackgroundThere have been growing concerns about increasing mental health problems in the Caribbean region. This study explores rates and factors associated with selected mental health disorders within 2 Caribbean countries: Jamaica and Guyana.MethodsProbability samples of 1218 Jamaicans and 2068 Guyanese participants were used. A modified version of the WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WHO CIDI) defined by the Diagnostic Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV) was administered in order to assess lifetime mental disorders. Descriptive statistics, χ2 and hierarchical regression analytic procedures were used to examine rates and factors associated with mental disorders.ResultsRates of mental health conditions were different across contexts and were generally higher for Guyanese compared with Jamaicans for alcohol abuse (3.6% vs 2.2%), drug abuse (1.4% vs 1.3%), substance abuse (4.7% vs 2.7%) and mania (0.4% vs 0.1%). The rate of depression, however, was higher among Jamaicans than Guyanese (7.4% vs 4.1%). There were also noticeable differences in rates in both countries, due to social and economic factors, with social factors playing a larger contributory role in the mental health status of individuals across countries.ConclusionsThe results of this study suggest the need for more indepth analyses of factors contributing to mental health conditions of peoples within the Caribbean region, including the influence of additional sources of stress, quality of care and help-seeking behaviours of individuals.

Relationship between Occupational Stress, 5-HT2A Receptor Polymorphisms and Mental Health in Petroleum Workers in the Xinjiang Arid Desert: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Abstinence from alcohol consumption was found to be a protective factor against mental health problems. This finding is consistent with the results of Lacey et al [ 43 ]. Petroleum workers spend prolonged periods of time in a unique environment, and are often subjected to noise and heavy workloads.…”

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors in an African–Caribbean population with severe mental illness

“…First, epidemiological studies suggest a greater ratio of men suffering from schizophrenia (Aleman et al, 2003;Leung and Chue, 2000;Ochoa et al, 2012). This male predominance seems to be associated across different regions with a higher comorbidity of substance abuse in men (Aleman et al, 2003;Lacey et al, 2016;Leung and Chue, 2000;Ochoa et al, 2012). Likewise, in this study comorbid SUD was present in 52.1% of the male patients compared to 7.3% of the female patients.…”

“…Likewise, in this study comorbid SUD was present in 52.1% of the male patients compared to 7.3% of the female patients. Second, SUD in male patients may trigger violent behavior and precipitate psychotic disorders and is associated with poverty and social isolation (Aleman et al, 2003;Lacey et al, 2016;Marconi et al, 2016;Ochoa et al, 2012;Roncero et al, 2014). Hence, male patients with SUD are more likely to commit socially disruptive behaviors leading to (forced) hospitalizations (Farabee and Shen, 2004;Mitchell et al, 2009;Vancampfort et al, 2016a, b;Virmani et al, 2006Virmani et al, , 2007.…”

“…Hence, male patients with SUD are more likely to commit socially disruptive behaviors leading to (forced) hospitalizations (Farabee and Shen, 2004;Mitchell et al, 2009;Vancampfort et al, 2016a, b;Virmani et al, 2006Virmani et al, , 2007. Third, women in the Caribbean are presumably more socially integrated and therefor may rely on a larger social network that supports them apart from psychiatric services (Lacey et al, 2016).…”

Children and young people’s mental health in the English-speaking Caribbean: a scoping review and evidence map

“…A regional study reporting data from nine Caribbean countries on adolescents age 10–18 indicated that 1 in 6 (17%) adolescents saw themselves as sad, angry or irritated [ 23 ]. Country specific data also highlighted a 7.4% rate of depression among CYP in Jamaica [ 24 ], and 14% in Trinidad and Tobago [ 25 ]. Another study conducted in Jamaica, The Bahamas, St Kitts and Nevis and St Vincent and the Grenadines revealed that among the sample of n = 1955 adolescents nearly half of the sample (52.1%) reported mild to severe symptoms of depression and a further 29.1% reported moderate to severe symptoms [ 26 ].…”