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Predictors of Psychological Distress in Low-income Populations of Montreal

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Abstract

Theoretical perspective

All epidemiologic studies agree that poor populations are the groups most vulnerable to mental health problems. However, not all people in economic difficulty show symptoms, and it appears that having a social support network plays a role in protecting against the chronic stress resulting from conditions such as poverty.

Objectives

The aim of the study is to clarify the relative contribution of social support to the mental health of low-income populations in two neighbourhoods in the southwest of Montreal: Pointe-Saint Charles and Saint-Henri.

Methods

A random sample of 416 social assistance recipients in southwest Montreal and another sample of 112 people, drawn at random from the general population, were interviewed. The psychological distress scale used was the Indice de détresse psychologique — Enquête Santé Québec (IDPESQ). The availability of social support components was assessed by using the Social Provisions Scale. Data were collected during interviews in the respondents’ homes. Social support measures were entered into a multidimensional model including many variables identified as being associated with mental health. Multiple regression analysis identified the best predictors of psychological distress for the low-income population.

Findings and conclusions

Among the 30 variables included in a multiple regression analysis, emotional support and the presence of persons perceived as stressful together accounted for most of the variance in distress predicted by the model. Although younger people, people experiencing food insecurity and people with poorer numeracy show a higher level of distress, these variables make a fairly marginal contribution compared with that of social relations.

Résumé

Contexte

Toutes les études épidémiologiques le confirment: les populations pauvres sont les plus vulnérables aux problèmes de santé mentale. Cependant, les personnes qui éprouvent des difficultés financières ne présentent pas toutes des symptômes; le fait d’avoir un réseau de soutien social semble offrir une certaine protection contre le stress chronique engendré par les situations comme la pauvreté.

Objectifs

Notre étude vise à clarifier la contribution relative du soutien social à la santé mentale des populations à faible revenu dans deux quartiers du sud-ouest de Montréal: Pointe-Saint-Charles et Saint-Henri.

Méthode

Nous avons interviewé un échantillon aléatoire de 416 bénéficiaires d’aide sociale du sud-ouest de Montréal et un autre échantillon de 112 personnes sélectionnées au hasard dans la population générale. Nous avons utilisé l’Indice de détresse psychologique de l’enquête Santé Québec (IDPESQ) et évalué la disponibilité du soutien social à l’aide de l’Échelle de provisions sociales. Les données ont été recueillies à la faveur d’entretiens au domicile des répondants. Les mesures du soutien social ont été introduites dans un modèle pluridimensionnel comportant de nombreuses variables connues comme étant associées à la santé mentale. Une analyse de régression multiple a permis de cerner les meilleurs indicateurs prévisionnels de la détresse psychologique dans les populations à faible revenu.

Constatations et conclusion

Des 30 variables incluses dans l’analyse de régression multiple, le soutien affectif et la présence de personnes jugées stressantes ont contribué à elles deux à la majorité des écarts dans les niveaux de détresse prédits par le modèle. Les jeunes, les personnes souffrant d’insécurité alimentaire et les personnes ayant de faibles connaissances en mathématiques présentaient un niveau de détresse plus élevé, mais le rôle de ces variables était marginal comparé à celui des relations sociales.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Douglas Hospital Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, Psychosocial Division, McGill University, 6875 LaSalle Blvd., Verdun, QC, H4H 1R3, Canada

    Jean Caron PhD & Éric Latimer PhD

  2. Department of Psychology, Université du Québec à Montréal, Canada

    Michel Tousignant PhD

Authors
  1. Jean Caron PhD
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  2. Éric Latimer PhD
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  3. Michel Tousignant PhD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean Caron PhD.

Additional information

Acknowledgement: Support for this study was granted by the Canadian Population Health Initiative.

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Caron, J., Latimer, É. & Tousignant, M. Predictors of Psychological Distress in Low-income Populations of Montreal. Can J Public Health 98 (Suppl 1), S35–S44 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403725

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