The prevalence and correlates of emotional distress (ED) were investigated in the course of a comprehensive longitudinal health survey in a Jerusalem neighborhood. ED was measured by a short set of questions from the Cornell Medical Index; rates and mean scores were calculated. Univariate and multivariate methods of analysis revealed more distress in women, older people, those who were less educated or in a low social class, well-educated married women who were not in gainful employment, young mothers with infrequent social contacts, immigrants, people previously or currently treated in psychiatric services, and Holocaust survivors. Marital status was not associated with ED. Religious women had lower rates of ED than other women; no such pattern was found among men. There was more ED in ethnic groups with a low social status but practically no difference remained when social class and education were controlled. Measures of ED over time showed an increase after five years, especially among women.

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central nervous system Israel psychological aspect human sex difference social aspect Aged Affective Symptoms Health Surveys religion Adolescent male female clinical article emotion adult Sex Factors distress syndrome social class employment sex crime Middle Age