Volume 22, Issue 11 (February 2025)
Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2025, 22(11): 934-942 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.UMSU.REC.1403.052
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Ahmadnezhad S, Radfar M, Jafarizadeh H, Rasouli J. INVESTIGATING PSYCHOLOGICAL DISTRESS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH SOME DEMOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS IN ADULTS REFERRING TO URMIA'S COMPREHENSIVE URBAN HEALTH SERVICE CENTERS IN 2024. Nursing and Midwifery Journal 2025; 22 (11) :934-942
URL: http://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-5286-en.html
URL: http://unmf.umsu.ac.ir/article-1-5286-en.html
1- Master of Psychiatric Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran ,mradfar1343@gmail.com
3- Instructor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
2- Professor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran ,
3- Instructor, Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
4- Assistant Professor, Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran
Abstract: (482 Views)
Background & Aim: Psychological distress refers to the general concept of maladaptive psychological functioning in response to specific stressful life events that can cause permanent or temporary harm to the individual. Determining psychological distress in individuals allows for early diagnosis of mental problems. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine psychological distress and its relationship with some demographic characteristics in adults referring to Urmia's comprehensive urban health service centers in 2024.
Materials & Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional-correlational study, 350 adults referring to Urmia's comprehensive urban health service centers who met the inclusion criteria were selected through multistage sampling and data were collected using Kessler's demographic characteristics and psychological distress questionnaires. For descriptive results, central tendency and frequency indices (percentages) were used, and for analytical results, a t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression were used to examine the relationship between variables and make prediction.
Results: Based on the results of this study, the average total psychological distress score among participants was 11.19 out of 40. Psychological distress among participants had statistically significant differences in terms of demographic variables such as gender, employment status, income status, marital status, and history of psychiatric medication use. Also, employment status, housing status, and marital status were able to predict psychological distress and explained 67 percent of the psychological distress score.
Discussion: Given the higher level of psychological distress in the studied women, unemployed individuals, individuals with lower income levels, and divorced individuals, it is recommended that health policymakers develop plans to improve psychological status and prevent the occurrence of serious mental disorders in these groups.
Materials & Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional-correlational study, 350 adults referring to Urmia's comprehensive urban health service centers who met the inclusion criteria were selected through multistage sampling and data were collected using Kessler's demographic characteristics and psychological distress questionnaires. For descriptive results, central tendency and frequency indices (percentages) were used, and for analytical results, a t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear regression were used to examine the relationship between variables and make prediction.
Results: Based on the results of this study, the average total psychological distress score among participants was 11.19 out of 40. Psychological distress among participants had statistically significant differences in terms of demographic variables such as gender, employment status, income status, marital status, and history of psychiatric medication use. Also, employment status, housing status, and marital status were able to predict psychological distress and explained 67 percent of the psychological distress score.
Discussion: Given the higher level of psychological distress in the studied women, unemployed individuals, individuals with lower income levels, and divorced individuals, it is recommended that health policymakers develop plans to improve psychological status and prevent the occurrence of serious mental disorders in these groups.
Keywords: Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, Mental Health Screening, Predictors of Mental Health, Psychological Distress, Urban Health Services
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
روانپزشکی- روان شناسی
References
1. Root E, Caskie G. eMental Health Literacy and Psychological Distress as Predictors of Barriers to Mental Health Services. Innov Aging 2021;5(Suppl 1):859. [PMCID: PMC8681745] [DOI:10.1093/geroni/igab046.3136]
2. Noorbala A. Psychosocial health and strategies for improvement. Iran J Psychiatry Clin Psychol 2011;17(2):151-6. [URL:]
3. Prince M, Patel V, Saxena S, Maj M, Maselko J, Phillips MR, et al. No health without mental health. Lancet 2007;370(9590):859-77. [PMID: 17804063] [DOI:10.1016/S0140-6736(07)61238-0]
4. Herrman H, Jané-Llopis E. The status of mental health promotion. Public Health Rev 2012;34:1-21. [URL:] [DOI:10.1007/BF03391674]
5. Noorbala AA, Maleki A, Yazdi SAB, Faghihzadeh E, Hoseinzadeh Z, Hajibabaei M, et al. Survey on mental health status in Iranian population aged 15 and above one year after the outbreak of COVID-19 disease: A population-based study. Arch Iran Med 2022;25(4):201-8. [PMID: 35942991] [DOI: 10.34172/aim.2022.35] [PMCID: PMC11897880]
6. Alizade Z, Rejali M, Feizi A, Afshar H, Hassanzade Kashtali A, Adibi P. Investigation of psychological disorders profile (anxiety, depression and psychological distress) in adult population of Isfahan province. J Torbat Heydariyeh Univ Med Sci 2016;3(4):42-8. [URL:]
7. Ridner SH. Psychological distress: concept analysis. J Adv Nurs 2004;45(5):536-45. [PMID: 15009358] [DOI:10.1046/j.1365-2648.2003.02938.x] [PMID]
8. Goliroshan S, Jafari S, Khirkhah F. Role of perceived social support and job satisfaction on psychological distress of clinical nurses. Koomesh 2020;22(4):633-43. [URL:] [DOI:10.29252/koomesh.22.4.633]
9. Ali AM, Atout M, Al-Amer R. Psychological distress in healthy, vulnerable, and diseased groups: Neurobiological and psychosocial bases, detection methods, and creative management strategies. Front Media SA 2023:1185503. [PMID: 37181682] [DOI:10.3389/978-2-8325-2398-8] [PMCID: PMC10172857]
10. Sirois FM, Owens J. Factors associated with psychological distress in health-care workers during an infectious disease outbreak: a rapid systematic review of the evidence. Front Psychiatry 2021;11:589545. [PMID: 33584364] [DOI:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.589545] [PMCID: PMC7876062]
11. Arvidsdotter T, Marklund B, Kylén S, Taft C, Ekman I. Understanding persons with psychological distress in primary health care. Scand J Caring Sci 2016;30(4):687-94. [PMID: 26463897] [DOI:10.1111/scs.12289]
12. Alizadeh A, Khankeh HR, Barati M, Ahmadi Y, Hadian A, Azizi M. Psychological distress among Iranian health-care providers exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): a qualitative study. BMC Psychiatry 2020;20:1-10. [PMID: 33028290] [DOI:10.1186/s12888-020-02889-2] [PMCID: PMC7538532]
13. Pehlivan Ş, Tokur Kesgin M, Uymaz P. Psychological distress and mental health literacy in university students. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2021;57(3). [PMID: 33330978] [DOI:10.1111/ppc.12709]
14. Mahmoodi MH, Ahmadzad-Asl M, Rasoulian M. Mental health positive knowledge questionnaire: translation and cultural adaptation and psychometric properties. Soc Welfare Q 2021;21(82):245-73. [URL:] [DORL: 20.1001.1.17358191.1400.21.82.4.9]
15. Silva BFPd, Santos-Vitti L, Faro A. Kessler Psychological distress scale: internal structure and relation to other variables. Psico-USF 2021;26(1):91-101. [URL:] [DOI:10.1590/1413-82712021260108]
16. Winefield HR, Gill TK, Taylor AW, Pilkington RM. Psychological well-being and psychological distress: is it necessary to measure both? Psychol Well-Being 2012;2:1-14. [URL:] [DOI:10.1186/2211-1522-2-3]
17. Pereira A, Oliveira CA, Bártolo A, Monteiro S, Vagos P, Jardim J. Reliability and factor structure of the 10-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) among Portuguese adults. Cien Saude Colet 2019;24(3):729-36. [PMID: 30892495] [DOI:10.1590/1413-81232018243.06322017]
18. Yaghubi H. Psychometric properties of the 10 questions Version of the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K-10). Appl Psychol Res Q 2016;6(4):45-57. [URL:] [DOI:10.22059/japr.2016.57963]
19. Peixoto EM, Zanini DS, de Andrade JM. Cross-cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the Kessler Distress Scale (K10): an application of the rating scale model. Psicol Reflex Crit 2021;34:21. [PMID: 34279743] [DOI:10.1186/s41155-021-00186-9] [PMCID: PMC8287847]
20. Montazeri A, Baradaran H, Omidvari S, Azin SA, Ebadi M, Garmaroudi G, et al. Psychological distress among Bam earthquake survivors in Iran: a population-based study. BMC Public Health 2005;5:1-6. [PMID: 15644145] [DOI:10.1186/1471-2458-5-4] [PMCID: PMC548264]
21. Matud MP, Bethencourt JM, Ibáñez I. Gender differences in psychological distress in Spain. Int J Soc Psychiatry 2015;61(6):560-8. [PMID: 25534418] [DOI:10.1177/0020764014564801]
22. Viertiö S, Kiviruusu O, Piirtola M, Kaprio J, Korhonen T, Marttunen M, et al. Factors contributing to psychological distress in the working population, with a special reference to gender difference. BMC Public Health 2021;21:1-17. [PMID: 33781240] [DOI:10.1186/s12889-021-10560-y] [PMCID: PMC8006634]
23. Chung RC-Y, Bemak F, Kagawa-Singer M. Gender differences in psychological distress among Southeast Asian refugees. J Nerv Ment Dis 1998;186(2):112-9. [PMID: 9484311] [DOI:10.1097/00005053-199802000-00007]
24. Achdut N, Refaeli T. Unemployment and psychological distress among young people during the COVID-19 pandemic: Psychological resources and risk factors. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020;17(19):7163. [PMID: 33007892] [DOI:10.3390/ijerph17197163] [PMCID: PMC7579061]
25. Caron J, Liu A. Factors associated with psychological distress in the Canadian population: a comparison of low-income and non low-income sub-groups. Community Ment Health J 2011;47:318-30. [PMID: 20424917] [DOI:10.1007/s10597-010-9306-4]
26. Kosidou K, Dalman C, Lundberg M, Hallqvist J, Isacsson G, Magnusson C. Socioeconomic status and risk of psychological distress and depression in the Stockholm Public Health Cohort: a population-based study. J Affect Disord 2011;134(1-3):160-7. [PMID: 21665286] [DOI:10.1016/j.jad.2011.05.024]
27. Bierman A. Functional limitations and psychological distress: Marital status as moderator. Soc Ment Health 2012;2(1):35-52. [URL:] [DOI:10.1177/2156869312442884]
28. Breslau J, Finucane ML, Locker AR, Baird MD, Roth EA, Collins RL. A longitudinal study of psychological distress in the United States before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Prev Med 2021;143:106362. [PMID: 33388325] [DOI:10.1016/j.ypmed.2020.106362] [PMCID: PMC9753596]
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
Contact Information
Address: Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Deputy of Research and Technology,Djahad Ave.,
Urmia-5714783734, IRAN
P.O. Box: 1138,
Tel: 044 - 331937224
Fax: 044 - 32240642
E-Mail:
j.nur.mid
gmail.com, unmfumsu.ac.ir