The association between substance use and common mental disorders in young adults: results from the South African Stress and Health (SASH) Survey

Amina Saban,Anna Grimsrud,Alan J Flisher,David R Williams,Neo Morojele,Dan J Stein,Leslie London

doi:10.11604/pamjs.supp.2014.17.1.3328

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although substance use is commonly associated with mental disorders, limited data on this association are available from low and middle income countries such as South Africa. The aims of the study were i) to determine patterns of substance use in young adults, ii) to identify trends of common psychiatric disorders in relation to use of specific substances, and iii) to determine whether specific psychiatric disorders were associated with use of specific substances in the South African population. METHODS: Data were drawn from the South African Stress and Health (SASH) study, a nationally-representative, cross-sectional survey of South African households that forms part of a World Health Organisation (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) initiative to standardise information on the global burden of mental illness and its correlates. Data from a subset (n=1766; aged 18 to 30 years) of the SASH sample of 4351 individuals were analysed. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview Version 3 (CIDI 3.0) was used to elicit basic demographic details and information regarding mental illness and substance use. Multiple regression analyses, adjusted for age and gender, were used to identify associations between mental disorders and substance use. RESULTS: Significant associations were found between substance use and mood and anxiety disorders, with a particularly strong relationship between cannabis use and mental disorder. CONCLUSION: The results are consistent with those from previous studies, and reinforce the argument that comorbid substance use and mental disorders constitute a major public health burden.

Highlights

Substance use is commonly associated with mental disorders, limited data on this association are available from low and middle income countries such as South Africa
It has been argued that individuals who suffer from mental illnesses are more likely to be or become dependent on substances than are individuals who do not have mental disorders [4]
This study draws on the nationally-representative South African Stress and Health (SASH) survey, the South African arm of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) World Mental Health (WMH) initiative, aimed at providing standardised information on the global burden of mental disorders and its correlates in 28 countries [29,30]

Summary

Introduction

Substance use is commonly associated with mental disorders, limited data on this association are available from low and middle income countries such as South Africa. Problematic substance use poses a challenge to society because of its effects on the psychosocial functioning, productivity and general health of the affected individuals [5,6]. It has been argued that individuals who suffer from mental illnesses are more likely to be or become dependent on substances than are individuals who do not have mental disorders [4]. Individuals who abuse substances appear to be more likely to develop or suffer from mental illnesses than are those who do not abuse substances [7]. When mental illness and problematic substance use or abuse co-occur, the resulting problems are often compounded and more complex [8], increasing the challenges posed to the management and treatment of the affected individuals [4]

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion