| Abstract: | Objectives: To analyze the distribution of the self-esperceived mental health status by demographic variables, SES (Socio-economic status), employment status, and ADL (Activity of Daily Living) status among the residents in Taiwan. Methods: We used data from the 2001 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) in Taiwan, for adults aged 20 or older, who provided effective answers to the questions on mental health domain of SF-36 (The 36-Item Short Form Health Survey). The subjects were classified as being in better mental health, if they scored above average. Because the household was the sampling unit, and the individual was the analysis unit, statistical methods adjusting the correlation within household were used in all the analysis. Results: A total of 7,296 males and 7,556 females were recruited. The overall mean score of mental health was 72.8(?16.8), and 57.9% of the males and 46.6% of the females scored higher than average. The means values for males aged 20-44, 45-64, and 65 years or older, were 74.7, 75.9, and 74.9, respectively. These values were 71.3, 70.8, and 67.2 for their female counterparts. Mean scores for disabled persons were the lowest among all groups. After controlling for other variables, males had better mental health than females (Odds ratio, OR=1.47; 95% Confidence Interval, CI, 1.37-1.57). Persons perceived themselves as having good/better physical health (OR=2.54; 95% CI, 2.36-2.73), the employed persons (OR=1.45; 95% CI, 1.25-1.67), persons without ADL dysfunction (OR=3.14; 95% CI, 2.31-4.28), and married persons (OR=1.13; 95% CI, 1.02-1.25) all had better mental health than other groups. Males in other parts of Taiwan (OR range=0.65-0.78, 95% CI) had worse mental health than those resided in the eastern part of the island. Females in the northwestern part of the island (OR=1.34; 95% CI, 1.03-1.75) had better mental health than those in other parts of the island. Females below 45 years had worse mental health (OR=0.70, 95% CI, 0.57-0.87) than those in other age groups. Conclusions: Self-perceived physical health status, physical function, age and gender were the factors associated with the self-perceived mental health in Taiwan. The disabled, the unemployed, and women below 45 years of age may require more attention on their mental health. |
