Prevalence of mental disorders and service utilization in seniors: results from the Canadian community health survey cycle 1.2.

✍ Scribed by Karen E. Mosier; Helen-Maria Vasiliadis; Marje Lepnurm; Chassidy Puchala; Chris Pekrul; Raymond Tempier

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2010
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 129 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0885-6230
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.2434

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Objective

This paper examined the 12‐month rate of mental disorders and subsequent service use among Canadian seniors aged 65–79 and 80 and over and adults aged 20–49 and 50–64.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of data [n = 33 695] of the population‐based Canadian Community Health survey, Cycle 1.2 (CCHS 1.2). Major Depressive Episodes (MDEs), specific Anxiety Disorders (AD) and Alcohol Abuse/Dependence rates were assessed.

Results

The 12‐month rates for the two senior groups aged 65–79 and 80+ for MDEs, ADs, and Substance Dependence (SD) are 1.7% and 1.6%; 1.4% and 0.8%; and 0.1% and 0.0%, respectively. Seniors aged 65–79 and 80+ had significantly lower rates than adults aged 20–49 and 50–64 for all mental disorders and SD. Among the total sample, seniors aged 65–79 and 80+ had significantly lower utilization rates than adults aged 20–49 and 50–64 for all three provider categories (GP only, GP and Other Health Professional, Any Other Health Professional but GP). Females aged 65–79 and 80+ were less likely to have reported service use for mental health reasons as opposed to those females aged 20–49 and 50–64. Males aged 65–79 and 80+ were more likely to have reported having used mental health services in the past 12 months as opposed to males aged 20–49 and 50–64.

Conclusions

The presence of common mental disorders is lower in seniors as compared to younger adults. Age and gender influence mental health service utilization rates. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.