The influence of sociodemographic characteristics on well-being and symptoms in a Swedish community. Results from a postal questionnaire survey.

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess the influence of sociodemographic characteristics on self-reported well-being and symptoms.

DESIGN

A postal questionnaire was sent to a representative population sample drawn from the population census.

SETTING

The municipality of Håbo, Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

Out of 1312 subjects in the population sample, 827 (63%) participated in the study, i.e. answered the questionnaire.

RESULTS

Sociodemographic characteristics significantly influenced most well-being variables and symptoms. The prevalence of symptoms in the categories depression and tension, as well as headache, decreased while most other symptoms increased with age. Women had more symptoms than men. Married subjects, compared to others, had higher social and mental but lower physical well-being. Subjects from households with up to three persons, and subjects with comprehensive school only, had lower physical well-being than other subjects. Working subjects generally had a higher well-being than non-working subjects.

CONCLUSION

Sociodemographic characteristics had a significant influence on most well-being variables and symptoms.