Symptoms of depression in a Canadian urban sample.

The prevalence and correlates of symptoms of depression in a Canadian urban sample were examined. A random sample of 524 respondents completed the CES-D scale and a variety of sociodemographic questions. In this Sample, 15% of the males and 19% of the females had scores above the depression cut-point of 16 on the CES-D scale. These rates were very similar to results reported in various U.S. centres. Symptoms of depression were most common among the younger, less educated, and those employed in trades and farming. Depression was lowest in the older, more educated, the married and those employed in professional and management roles. Taken as a whole the set of sociodemographic predictors explained 11% of the variance in symptoms of depression.

Public attitudes and intentions regarding tenants of community mental health residences who are neighbours.

A mail survey was conducted on a representative sample of 345 households in Winnipeg to examine public attitudes and behavioural intentions regarding tenants of community mental health residences who are neighbours. Vignette methodology was used to investigate the effects of mental illness labels (living in a community mental health residence vs. a normal residence), behavioural presentation (reflecting mild vs. severe disability), and sex of neighbours. Results showed behavioural presentation superseding labelling associated with tenancy in community mental health facilities in determining public attitudes toward and behavioural intentions regarding neighbouring. The study extends previous research by suggesting high levels of receptiveness on the part of community residents to having tenants as neighbours. Implications of the findings for improving the neighbourhood integration of tenants in community mental health residences are discussed.

Adult children of problem drinkers in an urban community.

In a medium-sized Canadian city, 581 randomly selected households were contacted and responded to a survey on the impact of parental alcohol problems. Twenty-two per cent of the respondents indicated that at least one of their parents had a drinking problem. The biological father was affected in 81%. Compared with the rest of the sample, the adult children of problem drinkers were younger but they did not differ in income or education. Adult children of problem drinkers were more likely to have parents who were divorced or separated; to be divorced, separated, or remarried themselves; to be heavy drinkers and have indications of alcohol problems; and to use more sources of help for problems with stress and anxiety and problems with alcohol. They did not differ from those without parental drinking problems on measures of current positive and negative affect.