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Psychological Distress in the Republic of Serbia, the Association of Social Characteristics and Substance Use on a National Representative Sample of Serbia

Author

Listed:
  • Milica Tadic

    (Clinic of Neurosurgery, Gamma Knife, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Zorica Terzic-Supic

    (Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Jovana Todorovic

    (Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Biljana Kilibarda

    (Institute of Public Health of Serbia “Dr Milan Jovanovic Batut”, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Milena Santric-Milicevic

    (Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Social Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Marija Dusanovic-Pjevic

    (Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Human Genetics, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Srboljub Milicevic

    (Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

This study examined the association between social characteristics, substance use, and psychological distress in a national representative sample of adults in Serbia. It was a secondary analysis of the National Survey on Lifestyles in Serbia: Substance Abuse and Gambling 2018. The study included a total of 2000 participants aged 18 to 65 from the general population in Serbia. Psychological distress was examined using the Kessler 6 questionnaire. There were a total of 945 male participants (47.3%) and 1055 (52.8%) female participants. The average age was 37.83 ± 13.61 years. The prevalence of a high risk of psychological distress was 5.2% (103/2000), while the prevalence of moderate risk of psychological distress was 15.2% (303/2000). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that being male, having poor self-rated health, having poor subjective financial status, binge drinking in the past year, and lifetime use of any illicit drug were associated with a higher likelihood of having a high risk of psychological distress. One in six adults in Serbia has a high risk of psychological distress, while one in twenty has a moderate risk. The findings of this study urge targeted actions to protect and improve the health of people in psychological distress and drug and alcohol users.

Suggested Citation

  • Milica Tadic & Zorica Terzic-Supic & Jovana Todorovic & Biljana Kilibarda & Milena Santric-Milicevic & Marija Dusanovic-Pjevic & Srboljub Milicevic, 2023. "Psychological Distress in the Republic of Serbia, the Association of Social Characteristics and Substance Use on a National Representative Sample of Serbia," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(7), pages 1-11, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:7:p:5321-:d:1111448
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zorica Terzic-Supic & Marina Jelic & Milena Santric-Milicevic & Biljana Kilibarda & Momcilo Mirkovic & Dusica Bankovic-Lazarevic & Jovana Todorovic, 2019. "National survey on lifestyles and gambling in Serbia: gambling participation and problem gambling in adult population," International Gambling Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 19(2), pages 265-281, May.
    2. M. Pilar Matud & M. Concepción García, 2019. "Psychological Distress and Social Functioning in Elderly Spanish People: A Gender Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-14, January.
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