Rebecca R S Mathews

Publications (2)5.63 Total impact

• Article: Depression and psychological distress in tobacco smokers and people with cannabis dependence in the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.

  Rebecca R S Mathews, Wayne D Hall, Coral E Gartner
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: To examine changes in the prevalence of affective disorders and psychological distress among smokers and people with cannabis dependence between 1997 and 2007. Cross-sectional analysis of the 1997 and 2007 National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview generated diagnoses of cannabis dependence and affective disorders based on criteria of the Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, fourth edition. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Logistic regressions examined the relationship between affective disorders, psychological distress and (i) smoking status (current, former and never-smoker) and (ii) cannabis dependence. Affective disorders and psychological distress were more common among smokers than non-smokers and among cannabis-dependent participants in both years. The prevalence of affective disorders and psychological distress among smokers, ex-smokers and non-smokers did not change between 1997 and 2007. Psychological distress and affective disorders were more common in cannabis-dependent participants in 2007 than in 1997. Affective disorders were more common in current than never-smokers and in people with cannabis dependence than without. We did not find strong evidence that the prevalence of these disorders changed in smokers between 1997 and 2007, but we did find such evidence in cannabis-dependent people.
  The Medical journal of Australia 08/2011; 195(3):S12-5. · 2.81 Impact Factor
• Article: What are the major drivers of prevalent disability burden in young Australians?

  Rebecca R S Mathews, Wayne D Hall, Theo Vos, George C Patton, Louisa Degenhardt
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: To examine age and sex differences in the leading causes of prevalent disability in young Australians. We analysed data from the 2003 Australian Burden of Disease and Injury Study, which estimated the prevalent disability burden attributable to 170 diseases and injuries, for younger adolescents (10-14 years), older adolescents (15-19 years) and young adults (20-24 years). The broad categories of disease and injury that are the main contributors to prevalent disability and the 10 leading disease and injury causes of prevalent disability, according to sex and age group. Total prevalent disability rates are lowest in younger adolescents and highest in young adults. Mental disorders are the largest "contributor" to disability in young Australians, and anxiety and depressive disorders are the leading single cause. In young males, autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder cause similar levels of disability as do anxiety and depression. In young females, eating disorders are the second leading cause of mental disorder disability. Alcohol use disorders and schizophrenia make important contributions to disability in young adult males. Asthma is the most prominent cause of physical disability in all three age groups. There are substantial changes in both the pattern and level of disability burden across the three age groups that we studied. The increase in total prevalent disability that occurs from early adolescence to young adulthood should focus attention on the delivery of accessible and youth friendly health care as well as the effectiveness of transitions from child health services to adult health services.
  The Medical journal of Australia 03/2011; 194(5):232-5. · 2.81 Impact Factor