Prevalence and factors related to psychological distress among White Thai adults in Mai Chau, Vietnam

Background and objectives: Psychological distress is one of the greatest health threats facing humanity and has been hypothesized to represent an evolutionary mismatch. This hypothesis can be tested in semi-traditional societies that are undergoing transitions to modern lifestyles. This study used an evolutionary medicine framework to examine the predictors of psychological distress symptomology in a semi-modern ethnic minority village in rural Vietnam that is transitioning into a developing economy.

Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Chieng Sai Village among White Thai ethnic minority adults aged 18-75. The DASS-21 scale was used to measure the prevalence of psychological distress symptoms, and a closed format questionnaire was used to collect data on independent variables. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to determine associated factors of psychological distress symptomology.

Results: The prevalence of psychological distress symptoms was 33.2% (d...