Low Income Linked to Mental Illness

A new study has indicated that people with lower incomes (less than US $ 20,000) are more likely to suffer from mental illness as compared to people who are making more money (more than US $ 70,000). Researchers linked a decrease in income with increased risk of anxiety, depression, substance abuse and mood disorders. The study suggests that this low income group should be targeted to treat and prevent mental illness. Researchers at the University of Manitoba in Canada analyzed data from nearly 35,000 adults aged 20-years and older. These participants were interviewed twice, three years apart. The research showed that people with low incomes especially had high rates of suicide attempts, mood disorders and personality disorders than those with higher incomes. But the study did not prove that poverty or a drop in income causes mental illness.

The findings are published in the March issue of the Archives of Psychiatry.


Source-Medindia