Affective problems in adults with mild learning disability: the roles of social disadvantage and ill health.
Mild learning disability is associated with an increased risk of affective disorder. This study examines the extent to which adult socio-economic disadvantage and ill health contribute to this risk. Samples were drawn from the 1958 National Child Development Study. Relative to a comparison group, mild learning disability at age 11 was associated with elevated rates of depressive symptoms throughout adult life, and carried a six-fold risk of chronic depressed mood. The group difference in depressed mood at age 43 years was in large part mediated by variations in adult socio-economic disadvantage and ill health.
Box Number PO46, Institute of Psychiatry, 16 De Crespigny Park, London SE5 8AF, UK. s.collishaw@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Stephan
S
Collishaw
Barbara
B
Maughan
Andrew
A
Pickles
D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000628:therapy; D005191:Family Characteristics; D006304:Health Status; D006798:Housing; D006801:Humans; D007859:Learning Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000150:complications*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012923:Social Class