Psychological distress by age
Data table
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Estimates based on 7,366 respondents in NSW. 27 (0.37%) were 'not stated''not stated' (Don't know or Refused) for psychological distress. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler 10 (K10), a 10-item questionnaire about the level of anxiety and depressive symptoms in the most recent 4-week period. The categories are K10 scores: low=10-15, moderate=16-21, high=22-29 and very high=30+.
Source
NSW Population Health Survey (HOIST). Centre for Epidemiology and Research, NSW Department of Health.
Commentary
Current psychological distress is usually measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, a 10-item questionnaire (Kessler 10 or K10) about negative emotional states experienced by respondents in the four weeks prior to interview. A very high level of psychological distress, as shown by the K10, may indicate a need for professional help (ABS, 2003). This does not mean, however, that all individuals scoring high in the K10 questionnaire have diagnostic levels of anxiety and depressive disorders.
Only 3.1% of persons in NSW (2.7% of males and 3.5% of females) reported very high levels of psychological distress in 2007, however, 10.9% of males and 13.2% of females in NSW reported high or very high levels of psychological distress. High or very high levels were most common among males aged 25-34 years (13.2%) and females aged 35-44 years (17.3%), with females reporting higher levels than males in every age group. High and very high levels of psychological distress are more common in those living in areas of greatest socioeconomic disadvantage in NSW (15.5%) compared to those in least disadvantaged areas (7.7%) (CER, 2007).
The National Health Survey 2004-05 reported that nearly one fifth (19%) of adults reported that they had used some medication for their mental wellbeing in the previous two week, of which 27% were antidepressants (ABS, 2006). Also, among adults who reported a mental or behavioural problem, 32% were daily smokers, and 15% consumed alcohol at high risk levels, compared with 21% and 14% of all adults (ABS, 2006).
For more information
Centre for Epidemiology and Research. 2007 Report on adult health in New South Wales. Sydney: NSW Department of Health, 2008. Available at www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/survey/hsurvey.html
Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2004-05: Summary of results. ABS Cat. NO. 4364.0 Canberra: ABS, 2006. Available at www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/4364.02004-05?OpenDocument.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. Information Paper: Use of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale in ABS Health Surveys.. Catalogue no. 4817.0.55.001. Canberra: ABS, 2003. Available at www.abs.gov.au.
Australian Bureau of Statistics. National Health Survey 2001: Mental health. ABS Catalogue no. 4811.0. Canberra: ABS 2003.
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Copyright notice
This work is copyright NSW Department of Health, 2006. It may be reproduced in whole or in part, subject to the inclusion of an acknowledgement of the source. Commercial usage or sale is prohibited.
Suggested citation
Population Health Division. The health of the people of New South Wales - Report of the Chief Health Officer. Sydney: NSW Department of Health. Available at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/publichealth/chorep/. Accessed (insert date of access).
Produced by
Centre for Epidemiology and Research, Population Health Division, NSW Department of Health.
Last updated on 15 December 2008
