The relationship between health-related stressful life events and anxiety: an analysis of a Florida metropolitan community.

This study examined the relationship between selected health-related stressful life events and anxiety levels, adjusting for socio-demographic factors and using data from a Health Interview Survey of a Florida metropolitan community. The results indicated that nearly 8 percent of the sample judged themselves to be severely anxious. Anxiety level was strongly related to the number of days the individual had been sick during the last month, regardless of sex, marital status, income, or age. Hospitalization, involvement in an accident, and four out of five medical conditions were also associated with increased anxiety. It was found that more respondents would go first to their regular doctor for emotional help than to a mental health practitioner. Therefore, the importance of linkages between the physical and mental health sectors in the community was stressed.