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Stressful life events and common mental disorders: results of the Pro-Saude Study

This study investigates the association between stressful life events (SLE) and common mental disorders (CMD) among university employees in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Phase 1 sectional data from a cohort study (the Pro-Saude Study) were collected among 4,030 participants. A standardized self-administered questionnaire (General Health Questionnaire) assessed the presence of CMD during the previous two weeks, the occurrence of SLE in the previous 12 months, and socio-demographic characteristics. After adjustment for gender, age, income, and marital status, severe financial problems were associated with the greatest risk of CMD (OR = 2.6; 95%CI: 2.2-3.0), followed by physical aggression (OR = 2.1; 95%CI: 1.5-2.8), disruption of a love relationship (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.6-2.3), forced change of residence (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.5-2.4), serious disease (OR = 1.8; 95%CI: 1.5-2.1), hold-up or theft (OR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.2-1.8), and hospitalization (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.1-1.8). Results suggest that long-term effects of SLE should be investigated, as well as other potential modifying factors in the development and maintenance of CMD in order to support more effective mental health interventions.

Stressful Events; Mental Disorders; Cohort Studies; Cross-Sectional Studies


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