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Comparative Study
. 2014 Jul;59(7):393-8.
doi: 10.1177/070674371405900707.

A sex-specific comparison of major depressive disorder symptomatology in the canadian forces and the general population

Julie Erickson  1 , D Jolene Kinley  1 , James M Bolton  2 , Mark A Zamorski  3 , Murray W Enns  4 , Jitender Sareen  5
Affiliations
Comparative Study

A sex-specific comparison of major depressive disorder symptomatology in the canadian forces and the general population

Julie Erickson et al. Can J Psychiatry. 2014 Jul.

Abstract
in English, French

Objective: To compare major depressive disorder (MDD) symptomatology within men and women in a large, representative sample of Canadian military personnel and civilians.

Method: We used the Canadian Community Health Survey: Mental Health and Well-Being (Cycle 1.2 and Canadian Forces Supplement) (n = 36 984 and n = 8441, respectively) to compare past-year MDD symptomatology among military and civilian women, and military and civilian men. Logistic regression models were used to determine differences in the types of depressive symptoms endorsed in each group.

Results: Men in the military with MDD were at lower odds than men in the general population to endorse numerous symptoms of depression, such as hopelessness (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.44; 99% CI 0.23 to 0.83) and inability to cope (AOR 0.53; 99% CI 0.31 to 0.92). Military women with MDD were at lower odds of thinking about their death (AOR 0.52; 99% CI 0.32 to 0.86), relative to women with MDD in the general population.

Conclusion: Different MDD symptomatology among males and females in the military, compared with those in the general population, may reflect selection effects (for example, personality characteristics and patterns of comorbidity) or occupational experiences unique to military personnel. Future research examining the mechanisms behind MDD symptomatology in military personnel and civilians is required.

Objectif :: Comparer la symptomatologie du trouble dépressif majeur (TDM) entre les hommes et les femmes d’un vaste échantillon représentatif du personnel militaire canadien et des civils.

Méthode :: Nous avons utilisé l’Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes— Santé mentale et bien-être (cycle 1.2 et le Supplément des Forces canadiennes) (n = 36 984 et n = 8441, respectivement) pour comparer la symptomatologie du TDM chez les femmes et les hommes militaires et civiles. Des modèles de régression logistique ont servi à déterminer les différences de types de symptômes dépressifs déclarés dans chaque groupe.

Résultats :: Les militaires hommes souffrant de TDM avaient moins de probabilités que ceux de la population générale de déclarer de nombreux symptômes de dépression, comme le désespoir (ratios de cotes corrigées [RCC] 0,44; IC à 99 % 0,23 à 0,83) et l’incapacité de s’adapter (RCC 0,53; IC à 99 % 0,31 à 0,92). Les femmes militaires souffrant de TDM avaient moins de probabilités de penser à leur mort (RCC 0,52; IC à 99 % 0,32 à 0,86), relativement aux femmes souffrant de TDM de la population générale.

Conclusion :: La symptomatologie du TDM différente chez les hommes et les femmes militaires, comparée à celle de ce et celles de la population générale, peut refléter des effets de sélection (par exemple, caractéristiques de la personnalité et modèles de comorbidité) ou des expériences professionnelles propres au personnel militaire. Il est nécessaire qu’une future recherche examine les mécanismes derrière la symptomatologie du TDM chez les militaires et les civils.

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