Browsing by Author "Reinistö, Elena"

Depression is a significant personal and societal burden, and it is unequally divided in population. The most important risk factors for depression are gender, age, socioeconomic status, marital status and negative experiences in childhood. This literary review considers the connection of depression and socioeconomic status. The study considers 18 exploratory articles of the topic. Low socioeconomic status is associated with psychiatric morbidity. The association with depression is more incoherent, but still significant. Low socioeconomic status is connected especially with the prevalence of depression, that is 1.8 times higher in the lowest class compared to the highest class. The connection with the incidence of depression is weaker. Socioeconomic background has an influence on depression already in childhood, and the socioeconomic background is also inherited in generations. The connection is two-directional because depression can also have negative effects on one’s socioeconomic status. Many physiological, behavioral and social factors have an impact on the connection of depression and socioeconomic status. The social distribution of depression is mainly explained with the stress theory, that focuses on the stress exposure, and on the other hand on social resources to cope with that stress. Lifestyle, diseases, social support, psychosocial stress and access to health care are some important mediators of the connection. That is how the problems are accumulating to those in the weakest positions. In summary, depression is more common in the lowest socioeconomic class. Society structures support the resources on some of its members, and exposes those same individuals to fewer harmful experiences. Also, those in the lower socioeconomic class might be easier left outside of mental care. It is important to take these things into account in political decision-making, mental care and health care.