Changes in socioeconomic position of people mental disorders during the economic recession

What is it about?

People with mental disorders face higher levels of social disadvantage due to higher levels of unemployment, sickness absence absence and early retirement. The period of economic recession initiated in 2008 may have aggravated this pattern and intensify the social inclusion of this group. The present study hypothesized that people with any 12-month mental disorder in the beginning of the economic recession in the Portuguese context (2008/09) would be more likely to report negative changes in socioeconomic position later on (2015/16). Indicators assessed included changes in employment situation, financial hardship in the last 5 years, and subjective social status. The results suggested that people with mental disorders in the beginning of the economic recession were more likely to experience financial hardship related to daily life in 2015/16. The other results seem to suggest a pattern of increased socioeconomic disadvantage but statistical significance was not reached. Notwithstanding, the impact of the economic recession on wider social inequalities between people with and without mental disorders should be evaluated in future studies.

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Why is it important?

Extensive epidemiological research efforts have been focused on the impact of the economic recession on the deterioration of population’s mental health through social causation mechanisms such as unemployment, precarious work conditions, and financial hardship. Although people with mental disorders may face increased social disadvantage during these periods, scarce research efforts have addressed this issue so far, underlying the importance to contemplate possible social selection mechanisms that may contribute to wider social inequalities faced by people with mental disorders.

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