The effect of childhood and current economic status on depressive symptoms in South Korean individuals: a longitudinal study

Abstract

BackgroundMental health inequality along the economic strata is prominent in South Korea, particularly as intergenerational material transfer is becoming increasingly important in gaining economic status. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between current and childhood economic status and depressive symptoms in adults aged 20 or above.MethodsThis study used data from the Korean Welfare Panel Study (KOWEPS), 2010 to 2013. A total of 9,645 individuals aged 20 years or above without depressive symptoms in 2010 were analyzed. The effect of childhood and current economic status, categorized into low, middle, and high groups, on depressive symptoms was investigated using hierarchical logistic regression models. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D 11) scale. Subgroup analysis was performed based on education level.ResultsCompared to the middle current-middle childhood economic status group, the low-low group (OR: 1.88, CI: 1.61-2.20), low-middle group (OR: 1.68, CI: 1.43-1.98), and low-high group (OR: 1.64, CI: 1.34-2.01) were more likely to have depressive symptoms. The high-low group (OR: 0.68, CI: 0.55-0.84), high-middle group (OR: 0.67, CI: 0.56-0.81), and high-high group (OR: 0.45, CI: 0.27-0.75) were less likely to have depressive symptoms. This trend was generally maintained with regard to education level, but the effects were not statistically significant in the high current economic status groups among participants with a university degree or above.ConclusionLow current economic status was associated with a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms. In particular, the low current-low childhood economic status group showed the highest likelihood of depressive symptoms, suggesting the adverse mental health effects of prolonged poverty. Therefore, the findings reveal that mental health inequalities are present along the economic strata and require proper addressing of the mental health of lower income individuals.

Financial stress and depression in adults: A systematic review

“…Using cross-sectional data from 19 European countries in 2014, Boe et al found that younger adults (25–40) who had experienced financial difficulties as children had higher depression scores in adulthood, while older adults (over 40) did not [ 42 ]. A similar association between adverse childhood financial situation and adults’ depression was also found in a longitudinal study [ 47 ]. Based on a national representative sample of 9,645 South Korean adults without depressive symptoms at baseline, Kim, et al found that experiencing financial difficulties in childhood was associated with the increased chance of depression in adulthood [ 47 ].…”

“…The positive and significant association between perceived financial strain in childhood and depression in adults was found in both a cross-sectional study and a longitudinal study [ 42 , 47 ]. Using cross-sectional data from 19 European countries in 2014, Boe et al found that younger adults (25–40) who had experienced financial difficulties as children had higher depression scores in adulthood, while older adults (over 40) did not [ 42 ].…”

“…Based on a national representative sample of 9,645 South Korean adults without depressive symptoms at baseline, Kim, et al found that experiencing financial difficulties in childhood was associated with the increased chance of depression in adulthood [ 47 ]. Furthermore, the effect of experiencing financial difficulties in childhood on depression was weaker than that of current financial difficulties [ 47 ].…”

Psychological distress among Greater Jakarta area residents during the COVID-19 pandemic and community containment

“…Lower DASS-21 scores in individuals with higher education levels also support the findings of a previous study, suggesting a lower risk of depressive disorder among well-educated subjects [40]. A large population-based survey in China highlighted that education level influenced depression or anxiety risk [41] albeit the presence of intermediary variables between education and negative percepts, such as occupational factors [42] or discrimination [43]. Subjects with low levels of education potentially have a greater inclination toward anxiety [44] because they may struggle to understand information about the pandemic.…”

Effects of material hardship on depression among adults in South Korea: insights from by the Korea Welfare Panel Study 2008–2017

“…Heflin and Iceland [14] reported a strong relationship between MH, especially when encountering problems with paying bills and having one's phone disconnected, and depression in the U.S. data. In Korea, numerous researchers have reported the association between low socioeconomic status and mental disorders, such as depressive symptoms [15,16] and suicidal ideation [17] and attempts [18]. However, in Korea, onedimensional and conventional income-based measures of socioeconomic status have been much more commonly used than multidimensional measures in studies examining the association between mental disorders and low socioeconomic status.…”