Serious psychological distress in the past 30 days among adults aged 18 and over, by selected characteristics: United States, average annual, selected years 1997–1998 through 2015–2016
Item
Title
Serious psychological distress in the past 30 days among adults aged 18 and over, by selected characteristics: United States, average annual, selected years 1997–1998 through 2015–2016
Creator
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Date
2018
Subject
Statistics on mental health for different populations within the United States.
Language
English
Format
PDF file
Description
A chart depicting statistics on rates of serious psychological distress for varying populations within the United States over a 12 year period.
Bibliographic Citation
"Table 46." Graph, Health, United States, 2017, no. 41 (2018). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Publisher
National Center for Health Statistics
Rights
Open Access
Source
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
extracted text
Table 46. Serious psychological distress in the past 30 days among adults aged 18 and over, by selected
characteristics: United States, average annual, selected years 1997–1998 through 2015–2016
Excel version (with more data years and standard errors when available): https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2017.htm#046 .
[Data are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population]
Characteristic
1997–1998
1999–2000
2001–2002
2004–2005
2010–2011
2015–20161
Percent of adults with serious psychological distress 2
18 years and over, age-adjusted3,4
3.2
2.6
3.1
3.0
3.3
3.6
18 years and over, crude4
3.2
2.6
3.1
3.0
3.4
3.6
2.9
2.7
3.0
3.7
3.9
3.4
3.1
2.5
3.8
2.3
2.2
2.4
3.2
3.5
2.6
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.9
2.8
3.0
3.9
4.2
3.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.8
2.5
2.9
3.7
3.9
3.4
2.5
2.2
2.9
2.9
2.4
3.1
4.5
4.2
4.7
2.4
2.6
2.1
3.5
3.9
3.3
4.4
4.5
4.3
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.5
3.8
2.0
3.1
2.4
3.8
2.3
3.7
2.8
3.7
2.9
4.2
3.1
4.0
7.8
2.0
2.5
2.9
*7.2
*1.4
3.0
3.5
8.1
*1.8
2.9
3.6
*3.5
1.7
3.2
3.7
5.6
1.7
3.6
3.6
9.2
2.1
-----
*
4.8
*
5.0
*
7.9
*
5.6
2.1
6.7
5.0
5.2
3.0
2.9
3.9
3.5
2.9
2.5
2.4
2.9
4.0
3.8
3.1
3.0
3.5
3.7
3.6
3.0
2.9
3.6
4.0
3.6
3.2
3.2
3.7
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.6
9.1
5.0
2.5
1.3
6.8
4.4
2.3
1.2
8.4
5.2
2.8
1.3
8.6
5.0
2.5
1.1
8.2
5.0
2.9
1.2
9.3
5.8
3.0
1.5
8.6
5.4
3.4
*
6.1
3.8
2.1
2.3
7.5
4.1
3.5
*
6.6
3.9
2.6
*1.9
7.5
4.3
3.1
*1.4
6.8
4.1
2.6
2.4
9.6
5.2
2.5
1.3
7.8
4.9
2.3
1.1
9.2
5.9
2.9
1.3
10.2
5.6
2.6
1.1
9.6
5.6
3.2
1.1
12.1
7.6
3.1
1.6
Age
18–44 years
18–24 years
25–44 years
45–64 years
45–54 years
55–64 years
65 years and over
65–74 years
75 years and over
Sex3
Male
Female
Race3,5
White only
Black or African American only
American Indian or Alaska Native only
Asian only
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander only
2 or more races
Hispanic origin and race3,5
Hispanic or Latino
Mexican
Not Hispanic or Latino
White only
Black or African American only
Percent of poverty level3,6
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
Hispanic origin and race and
percent of poverty level3,5,6
Hispanic or Latino:
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
Not Hispanic or Latino:
White only:
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
Page 1 of 2
Trend Tables
Health, United States, 2017
Table 46. Serious psychological distress in the past 30 days among adults aged 18 and over, by selected
characteristics: United States, average annual, selected years 1997–1998 through 2015–2016
Excel version (with more data years and standard errors when available): https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2017.htm#046 .
[Data are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population]
Characteristic
1997–1998
Hispanic origin and race and
percent of poverty level3,5,6—Con.
Black or African American only:
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
1999–2000
2001–2002
2004–2005
2010–2011
2015–20161
Percent of adults with serious psychological distress 2
8.7
4.3
2.2
*
6.0
3.6
*1.7
*1.0
7.2
4.9
2.3
*
7.6
4.8
2.1
*
7.7
4.4
1.9
*1.5
7.6
3.9
2.8
1.1
2.7
2.6
3.8
3.3
1.9
2.5
2.9
2.8
2.8
2.9
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.7
3.7
2.8
3.0
3.1
3.6
3.3
3.1
3.6
3.6
3.8
3.0
3.9
2.3
3.5
3.0
3.8
2.8
4.0
3.1
4.0
3.3
5.1
Geographic region3
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Location of residence3,7
Within MSA
Outside MSA
* Estimates are considered unreliable. Starting with 2015–2016 data, the reliability of survey percentage estimates was assessed using new multistep National Center for Health Statistics data
presentation standards for proportions. Prior to 2015–2016 data, the reliability of estimates for earlier years was evaluated based on relative standard errors (RSE). Data preceded by an asterisk
have an RSE of 20%–30%. Data not shown have an RSE greater than 30%. For more information, see Appendix II, Data presentation standards for proportions; Relative standard error (RSE).
- - - Data not available.
1
Starting in 2013 (shown in spreadsheet version), the six psychological distress questions were moved to the adult selected items section of the sample adult questionnaire. Observed differences
between 2012 and earlier estimates and 2013 and later estimates may be partially or fully attributable to this change in question placement within the sample adult questionnaire.
2
Serious psychological distress is measured by a six-question scale that asks respondents how often they experienced each of the six symptoms of psychological distress in the past 30 days.
Respondents must have answered all six questions to have a computed K6 score. Only those with K6 scores were included in this analysis. See Appendix II, Serious psychological distress.
3
Estimates are age-adjusted to the year 2000 standard population using five age groups: 18–44 years, 45–54 years, 55–64 years, 65–74 years, and 75 years and over. See Appendix II, Age
adjustment.
4
Includes all other races not shown separately.
5
The race groups white, black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 2 or more races include persons of Hispanic and non-Hispanic origin.
Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Starting with 1999 data, race-specific estimates are tabulated according to the 1997 Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal
Data on Race and Ethnicity and are not strictly comparable with estimates for earlier years. The five single-race categories and multiple-race categories shown in the table conform to the 1997
Standards. Starting with 1999 data, race-specific estimates are for persons who reported only one racial group; the category 2 or more races includes persons who reported more than one racial
group. Prior to 1999, data were tabulated according to the 1977 Standards with four racial groups, and the Asian only category included Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Estimates for
single-race categories prior to 1999 included persons who reported one race, or if they reported more than one race, identified one race as best representing their race. Starting with 2003 data,
race responses of other race and unspecified multiple race were treated as missing, and then race was imputed if these were the only race responses. Almost all persons with a race response of
other race were of Hispanic origin. See Appendix II, Hispanic origin; Race.
6
Percent of poverty level is based on family income and family size and composition using U.S. Census Bureau poverty thresholds. Missing family income data were imputed for 1997 and beyond.
See Appendix II, Family income; Poverty; Table VII.
7
MSA is metropolitan statistical area. Starting with 2016 data, MSA status is determined using 2010 Census data and the 2010 standards for defining MSAs. For more information, including the
definition prior to 2016, see Appendix II, Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) for the applicable standards.
NOTES: Standard errors for selected years are available in the spreadsheet version of this table. Data for additional years are available. See the Excel spreadsheet on the Health, United States
website at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm.
SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, sample adult questionnaire. See Appendix I, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Page 2 of 2
Trend Tables
Health, United States, 2017
characteristics: United States, average annual, selected years 1997–1998 through 2015–2016
Excel version (with more data years and standard errors when available): https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2017.htm#046 .
[Data are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population]
Characteristic
1997–1998
1999–2000
2001–2002
2004–2005
2010–2011
2015–20161
Percent of adults with serious psychological distress 2
18 years and over, age-adjusted3,4
3.2
2.6
3.1
3.0
3.3
3.6
18 years and over, crude4
3.2
2.6
3.1
3.0
3.4
3.6
2.9
2.7
3.0
3.7
3.9
3.4
3.1
2.5
3.8
2.3
2.2
2.4
3.2
3.5
2.6
2.4
2.3
2.5
2.9
2.8
3.0
3.9
4.2
3.4
2.4
2.4
2.4
2.8
2.5
2.9
3.7
3.9
3.4
2.5
2.2
2.9
2.9
2.4
3.1
4.5
4.2
4.7
2.4
2.6
2.1
3.5
3.9
3.3
4.4
4.5
4.3
2.3
2.4
2.3
2.5
3.8
2.0
3.1
2.4
3.8
2.3
3.7
2.8
3.7
2.9
4.2
3.1
4.0
7.8
2.0
2.5
2.9
*7.2
*1.4
3.0
3.5
8.1
*1.8
2.9
3.6
*3.5
1.7
3.2
3.7
5.6
1.7
3.6
3.6
9.2
2.1
-----
*
4.8
*
5.0
*
7.9
*
5.6
2.1
6.7
5.0
5.2
3.0
2.9
3.9
3.5
2.9
2.5
2.4
2.9
4.0
3.8
3.1
3.0
3.5
3.7
3.6
3.0
2.9
3.6
4.0
3.6
3.2
3.2
3.7
3.7
3.6
3.6
3.7
3.6
9.1
5.0
2.5
1.3
6.8
4.4
2.3
1.2
8.4
5.2
2.8
1.3
8.6
5.0
2.5
1.1
8.2
5.0
2.9
1.2
9.3
5.8
3.0
1.5
8.6
5.4
3.4
*
6.1
3.8
2.1
2.3
7.5
4.1
3.5
*
6.6
3.9
2.6
*1.9
7.5
4.3
3.1
*1.4
6.8
4.1
2.6
2.4
9.6
5.2
2.5
1.3
7.8
4.9
2.3
1.1
9.2
5.9
2.9
1.3
10.2
5.6
2.6
1.1
9.6
5.6
3.2
1.1
12.1
7.6
3.1
1.6
Age
18–44 years
18–24 years
25–44 years
45–64 years
45–54 years
55–64 years
65 years and over
65–74 years
75 years and over
Sex3
Male
Female
Race3,5
White only
Black or African American only
American Indian or Alaska Native only
Asian only
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific
Islander only
2 or more races
Hispanic origin and race3,5
Hispanic or Latino
Mexican
Not Hispanic or Latino
White only
Black or African American only
Percent of poverty level3,6
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
Hispanic origin and race and
percent of poverty level3,5,6
Hispanic or Latino:
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
Not Hispanic or Latino:
White only:
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
Page 1 of 2
Trend Tables
Health, United States, 2017
Table 46. Serious psychological distress in the past 30 days among adults aged 18 and over, by selected
characteristics: United States, average annual, selected years 1997–1998 through 2015–2016
Excel version (with more data years and standard errors when available): https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus/contents2017.htm#046 .
[Data are based on household interviews of a sample of the civilian noninstitutionalized population]
Characteristic
1997–1998
Hispanic origin and race and
percent of poverty level3,5,6—Con.
Black or African American only:
Below 100%
100%–199%
200%–399%
400% or more
1999–2000
2001–2002
2004–2005
2010–2011
2015–20161
Percent of adults with serious psychological distress 2
8.7
4.3
2.2
*
6.0
3.6
*1.7
*1.0
7.2
4.9
2.3
*
7.6
4.8
2.1
*
7.7
4.4
1.9
*1.5
7.6
3.9
2.8
1.1
2.7
2.6
3.8
3.3
1.9
2.5
2.9
2.8
2.8
2.9
3.5
3.0
2.5
2.7
3.7
2.8
3.0
3.1
3.6
3.3
3.1
3.6
3.6
3.8
3.0
3.9
2.3
3.5
3.0
3.8
2.8
4.0
3.1
4.0
3.3
5.1
Geographic region3
Northeast
Midwest
South
West
Location of residence3,7
Within MSA
Outside MSA
* Estimates are considered unreliable. Starting with 2015–2016 data, the reliability of survey percentage estimates was assessed using new multistep National Center for Health Statistics data
presentation standards for proportions. Prior to 2015–2016 data, the reliability of estimates for earlier years was evaluated based on relative standard errors (RSE). Data preceded by an asterisk
have an RSE of 20%–30%. Data not shown have an RSE greater than 30%. For more information, see Appendix II, Data presentation standards for proportions; Relative standard error (RSE).
- - - Data not available.
1
Starting in 2013 (shown in spreadsheet version), the six psychological distress questions were moved to the adult selected items section of the sample adult questionnaire. Observed differences
between 2012 and earlier estimates and 2013 and later estimates may be partially or fully attributable to this change in question placement within the sample adult questionnaire.
2
Serious psychological distress is measured by a six-question scale that asks respondents how often they experienced each of the six symptoms of psychological distress in the past 30 days.
Respondents must have answered all six questions to have a computed K6 score. Only those with K6 scores were included in this analysis. See Appendix II, Serious psychological distress.
3
Estimates are age-adjusted to the year 2000 standard population using five age groups: 18–44 years, 45–54 years, 55–64 years, 65–74 years, and 75 years and over. See Appendix II, Age
adjustment.
4
Includes all other races not shown separately.
5
The race groups white, black, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and 2 or more races include persons of Hispanic and non-Hispanic origin.
Persons of Hispanic origin may be of any race. Starting with 1999 data, race-specific estimates are tabulated according to the 1997 Revisions to the Standards for the Classification of Federal
Data on Race and Ethnicity and are not strictly comparable with estimates for earlier years. The five single-race categories and multiple-race categories shown in the table conform to the 1997
Standards. Starting with 1999 data, race-specific estimates are for persons who reported only one racial group; the category 2 or more races includes persons who reported more than one racial
group. Prior to 1999, data were tabulated according to the 1977 Standards with four racial groups, and the Asian only category included Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander. Estimates for
single-race categories prior to 1999 included persons who reported one race, or if they reported more than one race, identified one race as best representing their race. Starting with 2003 data,
race responses of other race and unspecified multiple race were treated as missing, and then race was imputed if these were the only race responses. Almost all persons with a race response of
other race were of Hispanic origin. See Appendix II, Hispanic origin; Race.
6
Percent of poverty level is based on family income and family size and composition using U.S. Census Bureau poverty thresholds. Missing family income data were imputed for 1997 and beyond.
See Appendix II, Family income; Poverty; Table VII.
7
MSA is metropolitan statistical area. Starting with 2016 data, MSA status is determined using 2010 Census data and the 2010 standards for defining MSAs. For more information, including the
definition prior to 2016, see Appendix II, Metropolitan statistical area (MSA) for the applicable standards.
NOTES: Standard errors for selected years are available in the spreadsheet version of this table. Data for additional years are available. See the Excel spreadsheet on the Health, United States
website at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/hus.htm.
SOURCE: NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, sample adult questionnaire. See Appendix I, National Health Interview Survey (NHIS).
Page 2 of 2
Trend Tables
Health, United States, 2017