Student Loans and Psychological Distress: A Cross-sectional Study of Young Adults in Japan.

Yukihiro Sato,Ken Osaka,Yasuaki Saijo,Richard G. Watt,Eiji Yoshioka

doi:10.2188/jea.je20190057

Yukihiro Sato, Ken Osaka + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.2188/jea.je20190057

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Abstract

BackgroundLevels of student loan debt have been increasing, but very little research has assessed if this is associated with poor health. The aim was to examine the association between student loans and psychological distress in Japan.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional web-based self-administered questionnaire survey in 2017. The sample comprised of 4,149 respondents aged 20–34, with 3,170 graduates and 979 current university students. The independent variables were whether or not current students had student loans, and for graduates, the total amount of their student loan debt. The dependent variable was severe psychological distress assessed using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6; the cut-off point was 12/13). Covariates were demographic and parents’ socioeconomic variables. A Poisson regression analysis with a robust error variance was conducted to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Because there was a significant interaction between current student status and the status of borrowing student loans, stratified analyses were conducted.ResultsThe percentage of those with student loans was 33.8% among graduates and 35.2% among current university students. Among graduates, student loan debt was significantly associated with a high possibility of having severe psychological distress after adjusting for covariates (PR of ≥4 million yen, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.02–2.03). Among current university students, there was no significant association (PR of borrowing student loans, 0.91; 95% CI, 0.60–1.37).ConclusionsThere was a significant association between student loan debt and psychological distress among graduates but not current university students.

Highlights

Recent reviews show the significant associations of household debt with mental disorder and depression,[3,4,5] because debt repayment can directly lead to financial stress, anxiety, unhealthy behaviors,[2,6] and limitations of using healthcare services.[7]
We mainly focused on the associations of student loans with psychological distress, because sample sizes of scholarships and both types were too small (n = 94 and n = 74, respectively)
The current results show that there was no significant association among current university students, but graduates and dropouts with student loans had a high possibility of severe psychological distress

Summary

Introduction

Levels of debt have been associated with physical and mental health problems.[1,2] Recent reviews show the significant associations of household debt with mental disorder and depression,[3,4,5] because debt repayment can directly lead to financial stress, anxiety, unhealthy behaviors,[2,6] and limitations of using healthcare services.[7] Earlier studies indicate the negative effects of debt on mental health among young adults.[3,8] The amount of household debt has been increasing worldwide,[9] and student loans have contributed to the rise in personal debt.[3,8]. Levels of student loan debt have been increasing, but very little research has assessed if this is associated with poor health. The aim was to examine the association between student loans and psychological distress in Japan

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Results

Conclusion