Sociodemographic, psychosocial and physical health correlates of common mental disorder symptoms among mothers in Trinidad and Tobago: Examining ethnic variations

Abstract

Historical and cultural experiences have shaped the life experiences of cultural communities in Trinidad and Tobago. Using a cultural focus, the goal of this investigation was to examine ethnic variations both in the prevalence of common mental disorder (CMD) symptoms as well as in the associations between sociodemographic, psychosocial, physical health correlates and CMDs among mothers in Trinidad and Tobago. Participants included 1002 mothers (359 African-, 353 Indo- and 290 Mixed-Ethnic Trinidadian). Mean comparisons indicated similarities in the levels of depression, somatisation and anxiety across ethnic groups. The associations between physical ill health, experiences of pain and depression and between physical ill health and somatisation were stronger for Mixed-Ethnic Trinidadian than Indo-Trinidadian mothers. The relationship between early experiences of domestic violence and depression was stronger for Indo-Trinidadian than Mixed-Ethnic Trinidadian mothers. The associations between early experiences of domestic violence and depression and between experiences of pain and somatisation were stronger for African Trinidadian than Mixed-Ethnic Trinidadian mothers. Thus beyond the direct effects, mothers belonging to specific ethnic groups indicated greater or lesser vulnerabilities to CMDs depending on their exposure to specific correlates. Results have applicability for the development of culturally sensitive interventions for mothers experiencing CMDs.

Risk of work addiction in academic physicians prevalence, determinants and impact on quality of life

“…Many authors reported that women experience poorer mental well-being than men do and that it is negatively correlated to children's number. The latter result is in contradiction with ours (49) (50). A 26-European-country study showed evidence of lower prevalence of good mental wellbeing among women.…”

“…69,70,71 Some authors suggest that impaired physical health makes people more vulnerable to common mental disorders. 50 In literature, many studies had confirmed the negative effect of workaholism on worker well-being. In fact, workaholic had a worse state of general health, more somatic symptoms, higher levels of anxiety/insomnia, social dysfunction and symptoms of depression.…”