Prevalence of mental disorder in an urban population in central Sweden in relation to social class, marital status and immigration

A representative selection of 2,283 persons, 18-65 years old in "former" Stockholm County were examined by psychiatrists in 1970-71. The total non-response was 12%. The 12-month prevalence of mental disorders in relation to social class (I-III), marital status and immigration was estimated. The "psychiatric diagnoses of moderate and severe degree" were significantly more prevalent in social class III (14% and 2.7%) than in I (6.9% and 0.6%) and II (9.8% and 0.9%) and significantly more prevalent among single (16% and 4.6%) than among cohabiting persons (9.6% and 1.0%). The mental disorder/immigration relationship should here be interpreted with certain reservations. One significant difference was noted: the "psychiatric diagnosis of severe degree" was significantly more prevalent for men born in Sweden (1.5%) than for men born abroad (0.3%).