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Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique logoLink to Canadian Journal of Public Health = Revue Canadienne de Santé Publique
. 2001 Sep 1;92(5):392–395. doi: 10.1007/BF03404989

Descriptive Epidemiology of a Depressive Syndrome in a Western Canadian Community Population

Scott B Patten 119,219,✉
PMCID: PMC6979816  PMID: 11702498

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate cross-sectional associations between depressive episodes and a set of potential biopsychosocial determinants in Calgary, Canada.

Methods: Random digit dialling (RDD) was used to select a sample consisting of 2,542 household residents in Calgary. These subjects were interviewed over the telephone using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) short form for major depression, and a questionnaire evaluating a variety of biopsychosocial variables.

Results: The prevalence of major depression was associated with biological (family history of major depression, alcohol consumption, street drug use), psychological (ratings of stress, recent life events) and social factors (social support, marital status, income, level of education).

Conclusion: This study confirms that major depression is correlated with a diverse set of potential determinants in community populations, and that the impact of these determinants may differ between different populations. Prospective studies will be needed to further investigate these associations.

Footnotes

This study was supported by the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research, and by a Grant from the Calgary Regional Health Authority.

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