Psychic distress, life crisis, and use of psychotherapeutic medications: national household survey data

Findings are reported from a nationwide survey of a cross-section probability sample (N = 2,552) of US adults. Data on psychic distress were obtained from a shortened version of the Hopkins symptom checklist, data on life crises from a shortened version of the Holmes-Rahe social readjustment rating...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArchives of general psychiatry Vol. 35; no. 9; p. 1045
Main Authors Mellinger, G D, Balter, M B, Manheimer, D I, Cisin, I H, Parry, H J
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.09.1978
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Age Factors
Aged
Alcohol Drinking
Female
Humans
Life Change Events
Male
Middle Aged
Psychotropic Drugs - therapeutic use
Sex Factors
Sick Role
Socioeconomic Factors
Stress, Psychological - drug effects
United States
United States
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Summary:Findings are reported from a nationwide survey of a cross-section probability sample (N = 2,552) of US adults. Data on psychic distress were obtained from a shortened version of the Hopkins symptom checklist, data on life crises from a shortened version of the Holmes-Rahe social readjustment rating scale. Methods for collecting data on use of psychotherapeutic medications were validated in a separate study. Data are presented on the prevalence of high levels of psychic distress and life crisis among various age, sex, and other demographic subgroups; on the relation between life crisis and psychic distress; and on the relation of life crisis and psychic distress to use of psychotherapeutic medications and alcohol. The findings suggest an illness behavior model for the use of psychotherapeutic medications in outpatient practice, and the lend little support to a "self-indulgent consumer" interpretation.
ISSN:0003-990X
DOI:10.1001/archpsyc.1978.01770330019001