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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 10/2011

01-10-2011 | Original Paper

Depression and economic hardship across Greece in 2008 and 2009: two cross-sectional surveys nationwide

Authors: Michael Madianos, Marina Economou, Tatiana Alexiou, Costas Stefanis

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 10/2011

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Abstract

Purpose

In many western countries during the recent years, people have witnessed the deterioration of their economies and the emergence of related phenomena such as loss of property, unemployment and social disruption. These phenomena have also been associated with increasing levels of demoralization and the developing of major depressive episodes (MDE). Greece in the years 2008 and mainly in 2009 started facing a sharp economic decline. The purpose of this study was to explore the consequences of this condition and the ways are reflected in the prevalence of MDE during these two critical years.

Method

Two nationwide cross-sectional telephone surveys were carried out in 2008 and 2009 with representative samples of 2,197 and 2,192 respondents, respectively. The interview comprised the SCID I module of MDE and an Index of Personal Economic Distress (IPED).

Results

The 1-month prevalence of MDE in 2009 was found to be 6.8%, compared to corresponding rates of 3.3% in 2008. Respondents facing serious economic hardship (with higher scores in IPED) were mostly at risk for developing an MDE.

Conclusions

The findings of both studies underline the significance of the risk involved in developing MDE when individuals have been exposed in extreme and stressful economic situations.
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Metadata
Title
Depression and economic hardship across Greece in 2008 and 2009: two cross-sectional surveys nationwide
Authors
Michael Madianos
Marina Economou
Tatiana Alexiou
Costas Stefanis
Publication date
01-10-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 10/2011
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-010-0265-4

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