Predictors of high and low mental well-being and common mental disorders: findings from a Danish population-based study.

Charlotte Meilstrup,Annette Kjær Ersbøll,Vibeke Koushede,Ziggi Ivan Santini,Ai Koyanagi,Line Nielsen,Sarah Stougaard,Carsten Hinrichsen,Katrine R Madsen,Sarah Stewart-Brown

doi:10.1093/eurpub/ckaa021

Abstract

BackgroundMental well-being is fundamental for a good life. Previous literature has examined the predictors of mental disorders and continuous measures of positive mental health. Very few studies have specifically focused on the predictors of different levels of mental well-being, but those that have suggest a different picture. This study aimed to compare socioeconomic and relational/recreational behaviour predictors of different levels of mental well-being as well as common mental disorders (CMDs).MethodsData from 3508 adults aged 16+ years old from the Danish Mental Health and Well-Being Survey 2016 were linked to Danish national register-based data. Mental well-being was assessed using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, and information on CMDs was assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4). Regression analyses were conducted to estimate the predictors of low and high mental well-being compared to moderate mental well-being and also of CMDs.ResultsLower socioeconomic position (education, income and employment status) was associated with increased odds of low mental well-being and the presence of CMDs, but did not significantly predict high mental well-being. Relational/recreational behaviours (informal and formal social participation, social support and recreational activity) were associated with reduced odds of low mental well-being and CMDs, and also with increased odds of high mental well-being.ConclusionsSocioeconomic predictors of high mental well-being do not mirror those of low mental well-being and CMDs, whereas relational/recreational predictors of high mental well-being do mirror those of low mental well-being and CMDs. These findings have important implications for public mental health strategies.

Highlights

Acknowledgement of the importance of positive mental health and the promotion of mental well-being for public health is growing among researchers and policymakers, partly as a response to the growing burden of mental disorders globally.[1,2] Mental well-being is a relatively new concept defined in different ways in different disciplines.[3]
Socioeconomic predictors of high mental well-being do not mirror those of low mental well-being and common mental disorders (CMDs), whereas relational/recreational predictors of high mental well-being do mirror those of low mental well-being and CMDs
Based on the aforementioned evidence, we hypothesized that (i) low socioeconomic position would be significantly associated with increased odds of low mental well-being and the presence of CMDs—but not significantly associated with high mental well-being, and (ii) relational/recreational behaviours would be significantly associated with increased odds of high mental well-being as well as reduced odds of low mental well-being and CMDs

Summary

Introduction

Acknowledgement of the importance of positive mental health and the promotion of mental well-being for public health is growing among researchers and policymakers, partly as a response to the growing burden of mental disorders globally.[1,2] Mental well-being is a relatively new concept defined in different ways in different disciplines.[3]. Mental disorders are diagnosed on the basis of not feeling well and functioning poorly, positioning the presence of mental well-being (higher levels), as defined here, at one end of a single continuum, with mental illness or the absence of mental well-being (lower levels) at the opposite end This implies strong correlations between continuous measures of mental illness and mental well-being.[4] Enhancing population levels of positive mental health is important from a public health standpoint for several reasons: it is desirable in its own right,[6] it is economically worthwhile,[7,8] it can prevent mental disorders and somatic illness, and promote recovery in individuals with mental health problems.[9,10,11]. These findings have important implications for public mental health strategies

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