Synopsis

This project aims to predict change in self-reported use of medications over a three year period among mid-aged Australian women for each of four conditions: depression, anxiety, stress, and to help sleep. Medication use was assessed by asking whether they had taken any medications over the past four weeks for: depression, nerves/anxiety/worries, stress (difficulty coping), and to help them sleep. Mental health was measured in two ways: self-reports of having been diagnosed in the last three years with anxiety, depression, or both anxiety and depression; the SF-36 MCS measuring mental health over the past four weeks.