Grant: Doctoral: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Recently there has been an expanding body of literature investigating the relationship between mental disorders and physical health conditions. In terms of anxiety, population-based research has found a significant association between anxiety disorders and physical health conditions, with the combination of the two resulting in greater clinical severity. These relationships, however, have been widely neglected in older adults. The current research aims to investigate the relationship between anxiety and physical health problems among older adults and whether the co-occurring conditions results in greater severity in three separate studies. Study 1 will thoroughly investigate individual health conditions (e.g., arthritis) and their relationship to several anxiety disorders (e.g., panic disorder) and whether these relationships increase the likelihood of poor quality of life and more suicidal behaviours. Study 2 will investigate these relationships longitudinally thereby assessing causal relationships between anxiety and physical health. Study 3 will address the role of help-seeking on quality of life of those who suffer from co-occurring anxiety and physical health problems in comparison to older adults who suffer from these conditions alone. Participants will be selected from Wave 1 (2001-2002; N=43, 093) and Wave 2 (2004-2005; N=34,653) of the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC). The NESARC is the only existing nationally representative dataset that included a comprehensive, longitudinal assessment of mental disorders (including anxiety disorders) and physical health problems. Only participants who are 55 years or older will be used in the current study. This research will play a crucial role in understanding the presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of conditions that affect the quality of life of millions of North American older adults.