Gender differences in mental health during the economic crisis.

BACKGROUND: Economic crises have a negative effect on mental health. Little evidence has been published on the impact of economic downturns on male and female. The aim of the study was to analyze gender differences in specific mental disorders in primary care during the current economic recession in Spain. METHOD: A total of 7,914 patients in 2006 and 5,876 patients in 2010 were recruited to collect sociodemographic data and the Primary Care Evaluation of Mental Disorders. RESULTS: Between 2006 and 2010 the prevalence of Major Depressive Disorder increased 155.7% in men and 104.9% in women; Generalized Anxiety Disorder increased 98.3% in men and 71.3% in women; and Multisomatoform Disorder increased 100.05% in men and 37% in women. The effect of the Employment confounder was significant across all comparisons:  Major Depressive Disorder Generalized Odds Ratio=2.557 for Men (p<.001), 2.046 for Women (p=.002); Generalized Anxiety Disorder Generalized Odds Ratio= 2.153 (p<.001) for Men, 1.546 for Women (p<.001); and for Non-specific Multisomatoform Disorder Generalized Odds Ratio=1.680 for Men (p<.001) and 1.301 for women (p=.014). CONCLUSION: Overall prevalence of mental disorders increased significantly between 2006 and 2010, especially in males, who are more sensitive to the effect of the current economic recession than women.

Psychometric properties of Spanish version of QIDS-SR16 in depressive patients.

INTRODUCTION: Depression is a worldwide health problem. Thus, making the diagnosis with reliable and short tests is crucial. In this regard, the Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (QIDS-SR16) has been validated in several countries. It was found that this instrument has a correct balance between time and reliability. This study has aimed to assess psychometric properties of QIDS-SR16 Spanish version, and to calculate several cutoffs to evaluate the depressive disorder severity. METHOD: The study was based on the data from the RESIST study that recruited 1595 depressive patients from 17 regional communities. Instruments used were Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS17) and Spanish version of QIDS-SR16. Statistical analyses included test-retest reliability and internal consistency calculation, and exploratory factor analysis. In addition, ROC curve was calculated in order to determine different cutoff values. RESULTS: QIDS-SR16 shows adequate test-retest reliability and high internal consistency (α=0.871), as well as ROC value of 0.946. Exploratory factor analysis showed a one factor model, which accounted for 46.80% of variance. Convergent validity and sensitivity to change were adequate. DISCUSSION: The results suggest that the QIDS-SR16 is a reliable test to assess depressive symptom severity in the Spanish population. The cutoff that shows the best sensitivity/specificity rate was a total score of 7.