[Epidemiology of psychological distress: a population-based cross-sectional study].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence and distribution of psychological distress in an urban adult population.

METHODS

A total of 3,942 individuals over 20 years old in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, were studied. Psychological distress was defined using an indicator of well-being, the Faces Scale, and self-perception of nervousness. Chi-square test was performed to assess the association with sociodemographics.

RESULTS

Prevalence of psychological distress was 14% when using the Faces Scale and 31.8% through self-perception of nervousness.

CONCLUSIONS

Older, poor, and lower education women groups were the ones that showed a higher prevalence of distress.