Connection Between Socioeconomic Status and Behavioral Well-being: A Closer Look at Eating and Sleep Disorders

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate whether there is a correlation between individuals socioeconomic status and the prevalence and severity of eating and sleeping disorders. The current study attempts to explain this link from an evolutionary psychology perspective. This study discusses past literature that showed the prevalence and severity of eating and sleeping disorders positively or negatively correlating with factors like mating, social impacts and working, then predicts a positive correlation between a less commonly investigated factor, socioeconomic status, and the prevalence and severity of eating and sleeping disorders. The research proposal suggests that in a correlational study, 1000 participants will complete a questionnaire as a measurement of their socioeconomic status and the prevalence and severity of eating and/or sleeping disorders. A longitudinal study will follow up the data for 12 months. A multiple regression will be conducted. If results are found significant, implications of our findings could be applied both socially and clinically. If a non-significant result is found, the direction of future studies is suggested, including using multiple research methods for further investigation and attempting to establish a causal relationship between the chosen variables.