UNASSIGNED: Participants were selected from Atahualpa residents included in previous studies targeting psychological distress in the population. A validated scale was used to objectively quantify fear of crime in participants. Differences in symptoms of depression and anxiety between baseline and follow-up were used as distinct dependent variables and the continuous score of the fear of crime scale was used as the independent variable. Linear regression models were fitted to assess the association between the exposure and the outcomes, after adjusting for relevant confounders.
UNASSIGNED: A total of 653 participants (mean age = 53.2 ± 11.5 years; 57% women) completed the requested tests. We found a 13% increase in symptoms of depression and anxiety during the peak of violence in the village compared with previous years. Linear regression models showed a significant association between the total score on the fear of crime questionnaire and worsening symptoms of depression (β = .24; 95% CI = 0.14-0.35) and anxiety (β = .31; 95% CI = 0.24-0.37), after adjustment for relevant confounders.
UNASSIGNED: This study shows a significant aggravating effect of fear of crime on pre-existing symptoms of depression and anxiety and a deleterious effect of these conditions on overall well-being.
■参与者是从先前研究中针对人群心理困扰的Atahualpa居民中选择的。使用经过验证的量表来客观地量化参与者对犯罪的恐惧。基线和随访之间抑郁和焦虑症状的差异被用作不同的因变量,恐惧犯罪量表的连续得分被用作自变量。拟合线性回归模型来评估暴露与结果之间的关联,在调整了相关的混杂因素后。
■共有653名参与者(平均年龄=53.2±11.5岁;57%的女性)完成了要求的测试。我们发现,与往年相比,该村暴力高峰期的抑郁和焦虑症状增加了13%。线性回归模型显示,恐惧犯罪问卷的总分与抑郁症状(β=.24;95%CI=0.14-0.35)和焦虑(β=.31;95%CI=0.24-0.37)之间存在显着关联,在调整相关混杂因素后。
■这项研究表明,对犯罪的恐惧对先前存在的抑郁和焦虑症状具有显着的加重作用,并且这些状况对总体幸福感具有有害影响。