Critical Life-Events and Prevention Strategies in Mental Health

The relationship between onset of serious mental disorder and the occurrence of 37 crisis or stress events was studied and two markers, divorce/separation and onset of drinking in a family member, tended to precede the onset of mental disorder.

Abstract

The relationship between onset of serious mental disorder and the occurrence of 37 crisis or stress events was studied as a potential focus for a preventive community program. Seven life-events occurring within one year prior to treatment were associated with serious mental disorder: being hospitalized for mental disorder, suicidal attempt, trouble with the police, onset of heavy drinking, loss of job, divorce/separation, and a family member beginning heavy drinking. None of these risk-markers were specifically related to diagnosis, though most markers were associated with alcoholism. Only two markers, divorce/separation and onset of drinking in a family member, tended to precede the onset of mental disorder. These markers may be useful as foci for a primary prevention program. A population-wide approach to prevention of major mental disorder awaits a clearer identification of factors which can be controlled.