The purpose of this study was to determine the extent of the association between psychiatric disorders and various social problems. The Diagnostic Interview Schedule was administered to a community sample of 3258 individuals and the association between eight “core” psychiatric disorders and eight social problem behaviours was determined. The results confirmed findings from many clinical studies that had previously found a strong relationship between social problem behaviours and mental illness. However, certain disorders tended to be associated with specific problems. In addition, a positive association was found between the number of social problems exhibited and the prevalence of psychiatric disorder. These data suggest the presence of a common underlying factor (or factors) and call into question the common practice of creating separate services for each definable social problem that arises.
References
1.
RobinsL.N., RegierD.A.Psychiatric disorders in America.New York NY: The Free Press, 1991.
2.
RobinsL.N., KulbokP.A.Methodological strategies in suicide. In: MannJ., StanleyM., eds. Psychology of suicidal behavior.Ann NY Acad Sci1986; 487: 1–15.
3.
BlandR.C., StebelskyG., OrnH.Psychiatric disorders and unemployment in Edmonton.Acta Psychiatr Scand1988; 77(Suppl 338): 72–80.
4.
DyckR.J., BlandR.C., NewmanS.C.Attempted suicide and psychiatric disorders in Edmonton.Acta Psychiatr Scand1988; 77(Suppl 338): 64–71.
HeizerJ.E., CaninoG.J., Eng-KungY.Alcoholism - North America and Asia: a comparison of population surveys with the DIS.Arch Gen Psychiatry1990; 47: 313–319.
7.
BlandR.C., NewmanS.C., DyckR.J.Prevalence of psychiatric disorders and suicide attempts in a prison population.Can J Psychiatry1990; 35: 407–413.
8.
BlandR.C., NewmanS.C., OrnH.Epidemiology of pathological gambling in Edmonton.Can J Psychiatry1993; 38: 108–112.
9.
BlandR.C., NewmanS.C., OrnH.Period prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Edmonton.Acta Psychiatr Scand1988; 77(Suppl 338): 33–42.
10.
RutterM., CoxA., TuplingC.Attainment and adjustment in two geographical areas: 1. The prevalence of psychiatric disorder.Br J Psychiatry1975; 126: 493–501.
11.
SroleL., LangnerT.S., MichaelS.T.Mental health in the metropolis: the midtown Manhatten study.New York NY: McGraw-Hill, 1962.
12.
LermanP.Child welfare, the private sector, and community-based corrections.Crime and Delinquency1984; 30: 5–38.
13.
MarttunenM.J., AroH.M., LönnqvistJ.K.Adolescent suicide: endpoint of long-term difficulties.J Am Acad Child Adol Psychiatry1992; 31: 649–654.
14.
MooreR.Dependence on alcohol. In: PradhamS., DuttaS., eds. Drug abuse: clinical and basic aspects. St.Louis MO: CV Mosby,1977.
15.
RobinsE.The final months: a study of the lives of 134 persons who committed suicide.New York NY: Oxford University Press,1982.
16.
ThompsonA.H.Young offender, child welfare, and mental health communalities.Can J Crimin1988; 30: 135–144.
17.
FreemanH.E., JonesW.C.Social problems: causes and controls (second edition).New York NY: Rand McNally, 1973.
18.
KaneJ.J.Social problems: a situational-value approach.Englewood Cliffs: Prentice-Hall,1962.
19.
PalenJ.J.Social problems.Toronto ON: McGraw-Hill,1979.
20.
MertonR.K., NisbetR.A., eds. Contemporary social problems: an introduction to the sociology of deviant behavior and social disorganization.New York NY: Harcourt, Brace & World, Inc., 1961.
21.
BlandR.C., OrnH., NewmanS.C.Lifetime prevalence of psychiatric disorders in Edmonton.Acta Psychiatr Scand1988; 77(Suppl 338): 24–32.
22.
OrnH., NewmanS.C., BlandR.C.Design and field methods of the Edmonton Survey of Psychiatric Disorders.Acta Psychiatr Scand1988; 77(Suppl 338): 17–23.
23.
BackstromC.H., Hursch-CesarG.Survey Research (second edition).Toronto ON: Wiley,1984.
24.
RobinsL.N., HeizerJ.E., CroughanJ.The NIMH Diagnostic Interview Schedule: its history, characteristics and validity.Arch Gen Psychiatry1981; 38: 381–389.
25.
LeightonA.My name is legion: the Stirling County study of psychiatric disorders and social environment.New York NY: Basic Books, 1959.
26.
RutterM.Protective factors in children's responses to stress and disadvantage. In: KentM.W., RolfJ.E., eds. Primary prevention of psychopathology. Vol. III: social competence in children.Hanover NH: The University Press of New England,1979.
27.
ThompsonA.H., BlandR.C., OrnH.Relationship and chronology of depression, agoraphobia, and panic disorder in the general population.J Nerv Mental Dis1989; 177: 456–463.
