The impact of economic inequalities on self-esteem and depression – a longitudinal study from Denmark

Abstract

Background During the last five years, negative consequences of austerity politics (e.g. its impact on soft outcomes such as self-esteem and mental health) have been dismissed as being irrelevant as arguments against ‘necessary’ social reforms and cut backs in many European countries including Denmark. But how important are economic factors, e.g. childhood experiences of parental unemployment, poverty and difficulties participating in leisure time activities as antecedents for self-esteem and depression? Methods Information from a birth …