About one-third of Americans have felt or feel close to having nervous breakdowns, according to a 1996 study released in the July 2000 issue of American Psychologist. The number is a significant increase over results of similar studies conducted in 1957 and 1976. In the 1996 study, Indiana University researchers took a close look at how Americans view mental health issues today.
The Basis
Researchers sought to discover, first and foremost, whether or not Americans' perceptions of mental health problems have changed over the past 40 years. In studying these perceptions, the researchers also explored whether or not more Americans are feeling close to having nervous breakdowns as well as what people do if they are feeling in such a way. Results were compared with similar studies from 1957 and 1976.The Participants
The results of the study were based on responses by 1444 participants. Researchers used controls to account for various demographic differences in the 1996 group as compared to the earlier groups.The Study
Researchers used a survey to gather data about the participants. In 1957 and 1976, "Americans View Their Mental Health" (AVTMH) surveys were used. In 1996, researchers used some questions from the AVTMH surveys with the addition of new questions to create the "General Social Survey" (GSS).The Results
Researchers found the following results from the survey --- Many more Americans feel close to having nervous breakdowns today (1996) than in 1957 and 1976. After adjusting results for demographic factors, the percentage of participants feeling close to a nervous breakdown in each year were:
- 1996 -- 24.3%
- 1976 -- 19.6%
- 1957 -- 17.0%
- Additionally, those in the 1996 study who did not feel close to having a nervous breakdown were also asked if they had ever experienced a mental health problem. Responses added another 7% to the 1996 figure, indicating that one-third of Americans have experienced or are concerned about experiencing a nervous breakdown or mental health problem.
- In the 1996 survey, the major problems Americans felt might lead to nervous breakdowns were relationship issues such as divorce, marital strain, etc. Work, financial and health problems were also issues of concern.
- In the 1996 survey, participants who felt close to having breakdowns stated that they sought help from family and friends, first and foremost. After informal support systems, 1996 participants tended to turn to social workers, counselors and psychologists. The number of people who turn to physicians and psychiatrists has decreased from the earlier surveys.
The Conclusions
- While the results of the study show that more Americans report feeling close to nervous breakdowns, the researchers do not know whether the change is due to an actual increase in mental health problems or is the result of a change in societal attudes about mental health, allowing for more people to feel open about discussing it. Indeed, both factors might have caused the results.
- Participants indicated they would be more likely to seek help from a social worker, counselor or psychologist than a physician for mental health problems. However, many Americans are covered by managed care insurance plans which require physician referrals to nonmedical professionals. Therefore, many people may be going untreated because they are unsure about how to seek help.
- Because participants seem willing to seek help from informal support systems, researchers believe that education about self-help methods, coping skills, and other preventative measures should be a part of mental health policy.
- Physicians need to be educated themselves on how to educate their patients about mental health issues as well as how to recognize mental health problems and know what treatments are available.
Reference: Swindle R, Heller K, Pescosolido B, Kikuzawa S (2000), Responses to nervous breakdowns in America over a 40-year period: Mental health policy implications. Am Psychol 55(7): 740-749.