Mental health in the middle-aged population

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• General health screenings are crucial for understanding population mental well-being.
• Psychological symptomatology prevalence can vary significantly based on demographics and socioeconomic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the prevalence of self-perceived psychological symptoms in adults aged 40-64 in Säkylä, Finland.
• To identify demographic and socioeconomic correlates of psychological symptoms within this population.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive health screening was conducted between September 1973 and January 1974.
• The Goldberg questionnaire was utilized to measure psychological symptomatology in 2,431 participants.
• High participation rate (93.3%) ensured robust data collection.

Main Results:

• Overall, 21% of participants reported experiencing psychological symptoms.
• Psychological symptoms were nearly twice as common in individuals aged 50 and over compared to those under 50.
• Higher income and education levels correlated with lower rates of psychosymptomatology.
• Widowed, divorced, pensioners, and unemployed individuals exhibited higher symptom frequencies.
• The less socially developed municipality of Köyliö showed 1.5 times the symptom frequency compared to Säkylä.

Conclusions:

• Psychological symptoms represent a significant public health concern in the studied adult population.
• Age, marital status, employment, socioeconomic status, and community development are key factors influencing mental well-being.
• Findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions and support systems for vulnerable groups.