Happy Valley and Depression (Providence: gated, job, health)

[Rrprinze]

Why is UT ranked so high for depression? What do you think are the causes?

[eggalegga]

I have no scientific data but I believe it has to do with having such large families and trying to live the restrictive life of the predominant religion. Again, just my opinion but I have nothing to back it up other than living there for 20 plus years.

[Venusian_Artist]

Originally Posted by eggalegga

I have no scientific data but I believe it has to do with having such large families and trying to live the restrictive life of the predominant religion. Again, just my opinion but I have nothing to back it up other than living there for 20 plus years.

I find religious intolerance restrictive and depressing.

[brightdoglover]

If the general population is *relatively* inbred, and if affective disorders like depresson do have some genetic link (which seems very likely) then depression would seem to be passed on from generation to generation, both genetically, and by being raised by depressed people.
Overall, though, it seems that the majority religious Utah population (not the fundie whackjob polygamists) have a lot of the "protective" factors- family connections, belief system supported by others around you, good health habits in that belief system.
Now, Utah has a lot of rural, isolated places, which can lead to depression and substance abuse, but it seems that a lot of those places have people in sustained communities, again, protective factors.

[providence_native]

What is Utah known for? LDS people. This isn't for nothing, there is a rather large concentration of them here (particularly in Northern Utah). This means that the variety in what is defined as normal or successful here is rather limited. So to fit in what is "successful" requires fitting in to a rather tight space. So if you don't quite make it...you get my point.


What is considered successful here is also conductive to stress: Married early, large family (preferably quickly), involved in "the church"(in which responsibilities are delegated, not volunteered for), 'decent'(whatever that is) job that pays to support all the previous, and volunteering in the community gets you kudos. With all those stressful things being reached for or attained, wouldn't you get over loaded?

It should be mentioned that there is a counterbalance here, studies show that the more spiritual (not necessarily religious) you are, the happier you are about life. So maybe all that stress pays off long-term?

[Aerorick]

Providence is right on the point. Not long after moving to Utah my "minds eye" if you will, noticed what appeared to be rather young looking women, 19-24, accompanied with two, three and even four children. And my first thought was that they are either baby-sitters or the older sister. But I've come to realize that in most cases it's actually the mother. On the face of it there's nothing wrong with starting a big family early. But the economic reality is unless the father is fortunate to have a very well paying job or someones parents are subsidising it life can be tough. When you begin your journey backwards with having a marriage, kids first and then seeking a way to support it I can see where depression could occur.

[cinnabon]

Originally Posted by brightdoglover

If the general population is *relatively* inbred, and if affective disorders like depresson do have some genetic link (which seems very likely) then depression would seem to be passed on from generation to generation, both genetically, and by being raised by depressed people.
Overall, though, it seems that the majority religious Utah population (not the fundie whackjob polygamists) have a lot of the "protective" factors- family connections, belief system supported by others around you, good health habits in that belief system.
Now, Utah has a lot of rural, isolated places, which can lead to depression and substance abuse, but it seems that a lot of those places have people in sustained communities, again, protective factors.

Depression does have a genetic link. While the protective factors you mention can be helpful, I have heard and read things to suggest that there is a certain amount of pressure in the dominant culture to meet fairly high standards of behavior and achievement, so this could also be a big factor in the rates of depression.

[PinkString]

I used to live in St.George and I was never depressed there. I was rather happy. I loved the close proximity to all the national parks, I rode on the local bike trails all the time and I even shopped on sundays while living there.
Now if I would have been LDS and had to have 10 or more kids by the time I was 30, I'd probably be really depressed.

[catrinac]

is a definite factor. It is overcast and cold much of the winter and spring and it just goes on and on. The cold weather is a serious downer. I have to wait to wear my warm weather clothes and get impatient. I end up spending lots of time indoors though I know that's my choice. Also, the area seems intensely conformist to the point of even being strange. I don't feel I fit in here due to not being married and having a bunch of kids. This is most apparent when I am in the suburbs or any heavily LDS area which nowadays I generally avoid. People have behaved better lately but I still get a lot of abusive comments and treatment, even at the Gateway, such as "that way" etc. People seem very controlling and dominant compared to other areas I have lived.

[cottonwood2420]

There is one word to describe this place: Stepford.