Research suggests recession has impact on mental health of lower socio-economic groups

By Staff Writer

As a result of the recent recession, many teens and adults in underserved socio-economic groups have experienced heightened levels of financial stress. In an effort to uncover the effects that an economic crisis has on the mental health of populations, researchers examined how inequalities in socio-economic status affect overall well-being.

The study, which is published in the journal World Psychiatry, covers data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1998 to 2007. The goal of the research was to measure income-related inequalities in depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in South Korea.

The researchers examined health behaviors, such as exercise, smoking and alcohol consumption, as well as diagnoses of depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts.

The results show that depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts were concentrated in lower-income groups. They found that in recent years, suicide attempts increased. In fact, the suicide rate rose from an average of 13 to 26 per 100,000 people.

The scientists concluded that there is significant evidence of inequalities in the prevalence of depression, suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among different socio-economic groups.