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Predictors of antidepressant use in the English population: analysis of the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 May 2018

S. Boyle Open the ORCID record for S. Boyle [Opens in a new window] ,
J. Murphy ,
M. Rosato ,
D. Boduszek  and
M. Shevlin Open the ORCID record for M. Shevlin [Opens in a new window]
S. Boyle*
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK
J. Murphy
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK
M. Rosato
Affiliation:
Bamford Centre for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK
D. Boduszek
Affiliation:
School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield, UK
M. Shevlin
Affiliation:
School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Londonderry, UK
*
*Address for correspondence: S. Boyle, School of Psychology and Psychology Research Institute, Ulster University, Magee Campus, Northland Road, Londonderry BT48 7JL, Northern Ireland, UK.(Email: s.boyle@ulster.ac.uk)
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Abstract

Objectives

The rate of antidepressant use in the United Kingdom has outpaced diagnostic increases in the prevalence of depression. Research has suggested that personal and socioeconomic risk factors may be contributing to antidepressant use. To date, few studies have addressed these possible contributions. Thus, this study aimed to assess the relative strength of personal, socioeconomic and trauma-related risk factors in predicting antidepressant use.

Methods

Data were derived from the Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey (n=7403), a nationally representative household sample of adults residing in England in 2007. A multivariate binary logistic regression model was developed to assess the associations between personal, socioeconomic and trauma-related risk factors and current antidepressant use.

Results

The strongest predictor of current antidepressant use was meeting the criteria for an ICD-10 depressive episode [odds ratio (OR)=9.04]. Other significant predictors of antidepressant use in this analysis included English as first language (OR=3.45), female gender (OR=1.98), unemployment (OR=1.82) and childhood sexual abuse (OR=1.53).

Conclusions

Several personal, socioeconomic and trauma-related factors significantly contributed to antidepressant use in the multivariate model specified. These findings aid our understanding of the broader context of antidepressant use in the United Kingdom.

Keywords

Antidepressantsdepressionepidemiologyregression analysisUnited Kingdom
Type
Original Research
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 37 , Issue 1 , March 2020 , pp. 15 - 23
Copyright
© College of Psychiatrists of Ireland 2018

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