Scottish Health Survey 2018: summary report

Key findings from the Scottish Health Survey 2018 report.

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Chapter 1 Mental Health and Wellbeing

In 2018, the WEMWBS mean score (measuring mental wellbeing) for adults was 49.4, not significantly different to 2017 but the lowest since the time series began in 2008.

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The lowest WEMWBS mean scores among all adults were for men aged 35-44 (47.2) and men aged 45-54 (47.6); the lowest WEMWBS mean score among women was for those aged 16-24 at 48.2.

In 2018, 19% of adults exhibited signs of a possible psychiatric disorder (GHQ-12 score of four or more) the highest in the time series.

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The percentage of adults with a GHQ-12 score of four or more significantly decreased with age from 24% among those aged 16-24, to 13% among those aged 75 and above.

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The highest proportions of a GHQ-12 score of four or more were found among women aged 16-24 and 55-64; the highest proportion of men with a GHQ-12 score of four or more was found among those aged 45-54.

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Mental health and wellbeing continued to be clearly linked to deprivation.

Percentage of adults with a GHQ-12 score of 4 or more (indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder)

  • 1st (most deprived) 26%
  • 5th (least deprived) 14%

Mean WEMWBS scores (measuring mental wellbeing) for adults

  • 1st (most deprived) 47.0
  • 5th (least deprived) 51.6

Contact

Email: scottishhealthsurvey@gov.scot

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