Study Reveals Impact of Socioeconomic Status on Mental Health
Mental ill health is Australia’s leading health condition. In any given year, 1 in 5 Australians between the ages of 16 and 85 will experience a mental illness.
Global events and economic instability may have contributed to more people experiencing poor mental health, many for the first time. But for our country’s most disadvantaged, the correlation between low socioeconomic status and poor mental health outcomes is undeniable – and it’s not a new problem.
The role of growing inequality
Australia is a wealthy country, but growing income inequality is negatively impacting the lives of many Australians. The cost of living crisis has seen demand for mental health services soar - but it’s clear that lower socioeconomic Australians are bearing the brunt.
Of the poorest one-fifth of Australians, 1-in-4 are currently experiencing high/very high levels of psychological distress. By comparison, 1-in-20 of the richest one-fifth of Australians are experiencing high/very high levels of psychological distress.
Psychologists in Hobart make the important point that mental disorders can happen to anyone, regardless of their financial position. However, research has observed the protective effect that higher levels of education and income can have on a person’s mental health. Financial insecurity and low levels of education can exacerbate disadvantage and contribute to ongoing life stressors.
Effects of low socioeconomic status
In the recently published study, low levels of social support combined with high levels of neuroticism were found to be triggers for major depressive disorder. Neuroticism, a personality trait associated with negative emotions, poor self-regulation and the inability to manage stress, is more likely to develop in low socioeconomic individuals, who often face more difficult life events and high levels of psychological distress.
In patients who come from a low socioeconomic background, risk factors for depression, PTSD, and anxiety can be more prevalent, as can bipolar, schizophrenia, and ADHD. Both genetic and environmental factors can predispose individuals to developing mental illness later in life. In fact, even when an individual’s socioeconomic status improves over time, they may continue to be vulnerable to risk factors.
Responding to the divide
Psychologists in Fitzroy know early interventions can help to minimise the effects of mental illness, providing patients with a range of coping skills they can use to improve their quality of life. Providers across the sector are seeking to respond to this socioeconomic divide and are advocating for improved accessibility to psychological support.
Governments must address where current healthcare and social policies are failing people. In addition to increasing public education about mental illness, more must be done to ensure individuals know where they can find mental health services.
