The South Africa Stress and Health Study: Rationale and Design

Williams, David R.; Herman, Allen; Kessler, Ronald C.; Sonnega, John; Seedat, Soraya; Stein, Dan J.; Moomal, Hashim; Wilson, Curtis M.

doi:10.1023/b:mebr.0000027424.86587.74

Cited by 58 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…The study rationale and methods have been described in detail previously (Williams et al, 2004). The survey protocol, including all recruitment, consent and field procedures, was approved by the Human Subjects Committees of the University of Michigan, Harvard Medical School, and by a single project assurance of compliance from the Medical University of South Africa that was approved by the National Institute of Mental Health (USA).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social determinants of psychological distress in a nationally-representative sample of South African adults

Myer¹,

Stein²,

Grimsrud³

et al. 2008

Social Science & Medicine

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There is substantial evidence from developed countries that lower socioeconomic status (SES) is associated with increased occurrence of mental illness, and growing interest in the role of social support and social capital in mental health. However, there are few data on social determinants of mental health from low-and middle-income nations. We examined the association between psychological distress and SES, social support and bonding social capital in a nationallyrepresentative sample of South African adults. As part of a national survey of mental health, a probability sample of 4351 individuals was interviewed between 2002 and 2004. Non-specific psychological distress was measured using the Kessler K-10 scale. SES was assessed from an aggregate of household income, individual educational and employment status, and household material and financial resources. Social support, bonding social capital and traumatic life events were measured using multi-item scales. The mean age in the sample was 37 years and 76% of participants were black African. Measures of SES and social capital were inversely associated (p < 0.001). Both recent and traumatic life events were more common among individuals with low levels of SES and social support. After adjusting for participant demographic characteristics and life events, high levels of psychological distress were most common among individuals with lower levels of SES and social capital. There was no independent association between levels of social support and psychological distress. The occurrence of recent life events appeared to partially mediate the association between SES and psychological distress (p = 0.035) but not the association involving social capital (p = 0.40). These data demonstrate persistent associations between levels of SES, social capital and psychological distress in South Africa. The increased frequency of recent life events appears to only partially explain higher levels of psychological distress among individuals of lower SES. Additional research is required to understand the temporality of this association as well as mechanisms through which SES and social capital influence mental health ☆

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Social determinants of psychological distress in a nationally-representative sample of South African adults

Myer¹,

Stein²,

Grimsrud³

et al. 2008

Social Science & Medicine

Self Cite

204

179

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The SASH study was a national probability sample of 4351 adult South Africans living in both households and hostel quarters (Williams et al 2004). Hostel quarters were included to maximize coverage of young working-age males.…”

Section: Methods Samplementioning

confidence: 99%

Twelve-month mental disorders in South Africa: prevalence, service use and demographic correlates in the population-based South African Stress and Health Study

Herman²,

et al. 2007

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“…The SASH study was a national probability sample of 4,351 adult South Africans living in both households and hostel quarters Williams et al, 2004).…”

Section: Participants and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Field interviewers made up to three attempts to contact each respondent, and the overall response rate was 85.5%. The SASH data set includes person-level analysis weights that incorporate sample selection, nonresponse, and poststratification factors (Williams et al, 2004(Williams et al, , 2008. This weight was used in computing estimates of descriptive statistics for the survey population (e.g., estimates of population means and proportions) and for estimation of analytical statistics (e.g., regression coeffi cients) required in modeling relationships among variables in the survey population.…”

Section: Participants and Proceduresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Predictors of Transitions Across Stages of Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Use Disorders in South Africa

Suliman¹,

Seedat²,

Williams³

et al. 2010

J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs

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ABSTRACT. Objective: High rates of alcohol use and alcohol-use disorders have been noted in South Africa. Although a number of risk factors for alcohol use and abuse/dependence have been identifi ed, there is a lack of information regarding risk factors for progression through the different stages of alcohol use and alcohol-use disorders. Our aim was to examine sociodemographic predictors of transition across stages of alcohol use, abuse and dependence (according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition), and remission in the South African population. Method: A national probability sample of 4,315 adult South Africans was administered Version 3.0 of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview. Results: We found high rates of transition from regular alcohol use to abuse but low rates from alcohol abuse to dependence. All stages of alcohol use and alcohol-use disorders were more common in younger than in older respondents at comparable time points. Younger age (below 50), male gender, lower education, and having been a student were all associated with ever using alcohol, but only male gender was associated with the transition to regular use and abuse. Furthermore, younger age and late age at onset of alcohol abuse were associated with remission from abuse. Conclusions: The importance of socio-demographic predictors appears to vary across stages of alcohol use and could be used to guide the precision of intervention strategies. (J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs, 71, 695-703, 2010)

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The South Africa Stress and Health Study: Rationale and Design

Cited by 58 publications

References 41 publications

Social determinants of psychological distress in a nationally-representative sample of South African adults

Social determinants of psychological distress in a nationally-representative sample of South African adults

Twelve-month mental disorders in South Africa: prevalence, service use and demographic correlates in the population-based South African Stress and Health Study

Predictors of Transitions Across Stages of Alcohol Use and Alcohol-Use Disorders in South Africa

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