Abstract
BackgroundAlthough a number of studies have found that income mobility associated with an elevated risk of mental disorders, existing research does not provide sufficient evidence of how exactly individuals’ experience of income mobility per se affects their risk of mental health outcomes. This present study aimed to explore roles of baseline income, follow-up income, and income mobility in the development of mental disorders using an intra-generational, longitudinal follow-up study.MethodsWe used data from the Montreal South-West Longitudinal Catchment Area Study. A total of 1117 participants with complete information both on income and past 12-month diagnoses of mental disorders were selected for this study. Diagonal Reference Models were used to simultaneously examine roles of income at baseline, income at follow-up, and income mobility in mental disorders during a 4-year follow-up.ResultsBoth baseline and follow-up income were important predictors for any mental disorder and major depression among males and females. Those with low income had a higher risk of any mental disorders and major depression. No evidence was found to support an association between income mobility (neither downwards nor upwards) and mental disorders. Marital status was uniquely associated with any mental disorder among males. Having a pre-existing diagnosis of any mental disorder at origin was associated with any mental disorder and major depression at the end of the 4-year follow-up.ConclusionsThis study first simultaneously examined roles of income at baseline, at follow-up, and mobility in mental disorders among a large-scale intra-generational community-based study. This present study provides additional evidence on how income is associated with an individuals’ likelihood of mental disorders.
Highlights
A number of studies have found that income mobility associated with an elevated risk of mental disorders, existing research does not provide sufficient evidence of how exactly individuals’ experience of income mobility per se affects their risk of mental health outcomes
The proportion of low income at baseline was 19.8% and this proportion dropped to 17.6%
Those with low income had a higher risk of any mental disorders and major depression at follow-up
Summary
A number of studies have found that income mobility associated with an elevated risk of mental disorders, existing research does not provide sufficient evidence of how exactly individuals’ experience of income mobility per se affects their risk of mental health outcomes. Low income increases the risk of developing a wide range of health-related determinants, such as poor nutrition, poor housing, and less access to necessary health services [2,3,4] These stressful events and precarious pre-existing issues (e.g. poor housing, financial, employment, and relationship conditions) could trigger mental disorders [5]. The relationship between income mobility and health has profound ethical and political implications in the pernicious effects of human inequality and the differential impact on social classes of economic and social policies [9, 10]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
