RESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: To identify the gender-specific correlates of perceived life stress in a representative sample of the Montreal population. METHOD: Data were extracted from the Local Health Survey Program (called "TOPO") collected in 2012. TOPO-2012 provided information on chronic diseases, their determinants and risk factors, as well as lifestyle and health services utilization. Poisson regression was used to identify significant correlates of perceived life stress. RESULTS: Single-parent females were 21% more likely (RR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.04-1.42) to report stressful life compared to females living alone. Females born in Canada or established female immigrants were significantly more likely to report stressful life (respectively RR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.12-1.60 and RR = 1.31; 95% CI = 1.08-1.58) than recent female immigrants. Furthermore, females living in a privileged material neighbourhood reported significantly higher perceived life stress (14% higher) than females living in a deprived neighbourhood. On the other hand, males with higher annual household income were 9% more likely (OR = 1.09; 95% CI = 1.05-1.14) to perceive life stress than males reporting a lower income. Also, overweight males reported higher stress (RR = 1.13; 95% CI = 1.01-1.26) than their normal weighted counterparts. Additionally, males who were diagnosed with a physical health problem were more likely to report stressful life (RR = 1.44; 95% CI = 1.28-1.61) than males who did not report any physical health problem. CONCLUSION: Identifying correlates of stress at the population level may help researchers characterize people vulnerable to daily stress, provide health agencies the advantage to forecast and prevent its occurrence and diseases associated with it, as well as offer policy advocates a pivotal edge to reduce disparities in population health.
Asunto(s)
Estrés Psicológico/psicología , Adolescente , Adulto , Anciano , Canadá/epidemiología , Femenino , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Factores Socioeconómicos , Estrés Psicológico/epidemiología , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
OBJECTIVES: Evaluate the association between residential and neighbourhood characteristics of families and children and the latter's development, using data from the Montréal Survey on the Preschool Experiences of Children in Kindergarten (MSPECK). METHOD: A sample of 1101 children was extracted from a survey frame that included Montréal children assessed in the 2012 Québec Survey of Child Development in Kindergarten (2012 QSCDK). Data collected from the children's parents were used to document the following residential and neighbourhood characteristics (independent variables): material deprivation in the neighbourhood, housing health, residential crowding, housing instability, neighbourhood safety, and access to resources. Linking QSCDK data provided a measure of development for children in kindergarten (dependent variable). Logistic regression was used to predict the probability of kindergarten children being vulnerable in at least one domain of development, or in two or more domains. RESULTS: Children living in neighbourhoods perceived to be dangerous are 1.5 times more likely to be vulnerable in at least one domain of development, compared with their peers living in neighbourhoods perceived to be safe (95% CI: 1.02-2.14). A similar result is observed for vulnerability in two or more domains of development (OR 1.67; 95% CI: 1.07-2.61). Children living in families who lack access to resources are also more likely to be vulnerable in two or more domains of development than their peers in families who have easy access to resources (OR 1.56; 95% CI: 1.003-2.44). CONCLUSION: Parents' feelings of insecurity and lack of access to local resources can limit children's opportunities for socialization and their exposure to enriching experiences.