The Scottish Health Survey 2022: summary report

Chapter 1. Mental Health and Wellbeing

Average levels of mental wellbeing (measured by mean WEMWBS scores^[1]) decreased between 2021 and 2022 and were outside of the range previously observed between 2008 and 2019 (49.4-50.0)^[1].

In 2022, older adults reported higher WEMWBS scores compared to younger adults.

• 16-24: 46.5
• 25-34: 46.0
• 35-44: 46.4
• 45-54: 45.5
• 55-64: 47.1
• 65-74: 49.8
• 75+: 49.3

In 2022, WEMWBS scores decreased as levels of deprivation increased.

• Least deprived: 48.3
• 4th: 48.4
• 3rd: 47.2
• 2nd: 46.3
• Most deprived: 44.7

In 2022, 27% of adults had a GHQ-12^[2] score of 4 or more (indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder), an increase from 2021 and higher than previous scores in the time series (14%-19% between 2003 and 2019).

• 2021: 22%
• 2022: 27%

In 2022, GHQ-12 scores of 4 or more were significantly higher for women than for men.

• Women: 31%
• Men: 22%

The proportion of adults feeling lonely ‘most’ or ‘all of the time’ increased between 2021 and 2022.

• 2021: 8%
• 2022: 11%

Overall, older adults were less likely to report feeling lonely ‘most’ or ‘all of the time’ compared with younger adults.

• 16-24: 17%
• 25-34: 11%
• 35-44: 8%
• 45-54: 12%
• 55-64: 12%
• 65-74: 7%
• 75+: 5%

There has been a gradual but overall significant increase in the proportion of adults reporting two or more symptoms of depression, rising from:

• 2008/09: 8%
• 2010/11: 8%
• 2012/13: 9%
• 2014/15: 10%
• 2016/17: 11%
• 2018/19: 12%
• 2021/22: 13%

The proportion of adults that reported having two or more symptoms of anxiety was 17% in 2021/2022. This had increased from 9% between 2008/2009 and 2012/2013, and 11 - 14% between 2014/2015 and 2018/2019.

• 2008/09: 9%
• 2010/11: 9%
• 2012/13: 9%
• 2014/15: 12%
• 2016/17: 11%
• 2018/19: 14%
• 2021/22: 17%

The proportion of adults reporting that they had ever attempted suicide has risen from 4% in 2008/2009 to 7% in 2018/2019 combined and 2021/2022 combined.

• 2008/09: 4%
• 2010/11: 5%
• 2012/13: 5%
• 2014/15: 6%
• 2016/17: 6%
• 2018/19: 7%
• 2021/22: 7%

The proportion of adults reporting that they have ever self-harmed increased from 2-3% in 2008/2009 to 10% in 2021/2022.

• 2008/09: 3%
• 2010/11: 2%
• 2012/13: 5%
• 2014/15: 7%
• 2016/17: 6%
• 2018/19: 7%
• 2021/22: 10%

The prevalence of adults reporting two or more symptoms of depression tended to decrease with age, although not linearly. Lowest levels were recorded among those aged 75 and over, and highest among those aged 16-34 or 55-64.

• 16-24: 16%
• 25-34: 16%
• 35-44: 12%
• 45-54: 14%
• 55-64: 16%
• 65-74: 9%
• 75+: 7%

Prevalence of two or more symptoms of anxiety was highest among those aged 16-34 (25 - 26%) and lowest was among those aged 65-74 (7%). Differences by sex were greatest amongst the 16-24 age group, at 13% of men and 33% of women.

• Men 16-24: 13%
• Women 16-24: 33%

In 2021/2022, age was a significant factor in whether someone had ever attempted suicide. The highest prevalence was among those aged 16-34 and those aged 55-64.

• 16-24: 10%
• 25-34: 11%
• 35-44: 5%
• 45-54: 7%
• 55-64: 10%
• 65-74: 4%
• 75+: <1%

In 2022, 30% of children lived with a parent with a GHQ12 score of 4 or above (indicative of a possible psychiatric disorder).

• 2022: 30%