Life events and other factors implicated in onset and in remission of psychiatric illness in women.

Life stressors for 574 Edinburgh women were assessed for uncertain outcome, impaired relationships and other characteristics. Thirteen weeks were covered either with no illness present or before a transient episode of Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC)-defined anxiety/depression (duration less than 13 weeks) or before a longer episode or before illness remission or during continuing illness. Exploratory analysis suggested that stressors of uncertain outcome preceded longer illness onset. Impaired relationships went with continuing illness. Stressors with neither of these, and with fewer than two other characteristics, preceded transient illness. Remaining stressors predicted remission, as did ending of long-term difficulties. Self-esteem, support, coping, previous illness and marital status also discriminated between the groups.