Risk Factors Associated with Mood Disorders in Canada

Background: Mental health presents a profound challenge globally, affecting around 970 million individuals. In Canada, mental disorders significantly impact the well-being of society and individuals, with one in three Canadians expected to face a mental problem during their lifetime. However, the utilization of mental health services is low, and a large proportion of the population does not have access to effective care. Objectives: This study was designed to identify key sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors associated with the prevalence of mood disorders among Canadians, thereby aiding in the development of targeted interventions. Methods: Utilizing data from the Canadian Community Health Survey 2017-2018, multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, incorporating the sampling weights to make the inference representative of the Canadian population. Bootstrap weighting was applied to the multivariable associations to ensure robust variance estimates. Results: Females (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.86-2.16) and individuals with higher obesity levels (pre-obesity: OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.04-1.05; obesity class 3: OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.88-3.00) were more likely to experience mood disorders. Conversely, higher income levels (>$80,000: OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.49-0.66; $60,000-$79,999: OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.56-0.77) and immigrant status (OR, 0.49; 95% CI, 0.43-0.56) were linked to a lower prevalence of mood disorders. Being unmarried was also associated with lower odds of mood disorders. Furthermore, additional factors such as higher education, increased life stress, and smoking were found to significantly influence the prevalence of mood disorders. Conclusions: The prevalence of mood disorders in Canada is influenced by various factors, with significant gender disparities. These findings can assist policymakers and healthcare professionals in developing targeted interventions and allocating resources effectively to meet the specific needs of at-risk populations. Future research is necessary to address these determinants.