Psychologic Status of Community Residents Along Major Demographic Dimensions

In a 1972 Chicago area survey of 2,299 adult community residents the prevalence of several psychologic measures were outlined along major demographic dimensions. Measures of psychologic status included a psychiatric symptom index, number of psychosomatic disorders, recent use of psychoactive drugs, and indexes of self-esteem and of self-efficacy. Results for psychiatric symptomatology showed it to be decidely higher among women, those in the lowest socioeconomic level, and those who are separated from their spouses. Blacks and whites showed no differences in symptomatology. Using multiple regression analysis, the combined effects of sex, age, marital status, and income accounted for 7% of the total variance of psychiatric symptoms. In a like manner, the prevalence of the other four psychologic characteristics has been viewed in the context of major demographic variables, with each showing a specific pattern of relationships.