ABSTRACT
Stressful life events (SLEs) are known to be associated with an increased prevalence of common mental disorders (CMDs), but the potential moderating role of psychological well-being has not been comprehensively studied. In total, 6194 adults aged 18–75 years were interviewed for the third Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS-3). Assessments included the adapted Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI v3.0) to determine DSM-5 mood, anxiety and substance use disorders, Brugha’s List of Threatening Experiences for SLEs, and Brief INSPIRE-O for psychological well-being. Logistic regressions tested associations between having experienced at least two SLEs and the different CMDs and additive interactions with psychological well-being. Having experienced ≥ 2 SLEs in the last year was associated with a higher prevalence of all CMDs in the last year, with adjusted odds ratios ranging from 1.71 (95% CI: 1.39; 2.10) for substance use disorders to 3.43 (95% CI: 2.73; 4.30) for mood disorders. The interaction effect of ≥ 2 SLEs and low psychological well-being was statistically significant for any CMD (RERI = 5.64, 95% CI: 3.18; 8.10), mood disorder (RERI = 23.09, 95% CI: 10.10; 36.10) and anxiety disorder (RERI = 3.45, 95% CI: 1.27; 5.63), but not for substance use disorder (RERI = 0.21, 95% CI: −1.38; 1.80). The joint presence of ≥ 2 SLEs and poor psychological well-being was associated with a higher prevalence of mood and anxiety disorders than would be expected from the sum of their individual associations. Promoting psychological well-being may be a fruitful public mental health strategy to increase resilience against SLEs.