The association between common mental disorders, socioeconomic outcomes and social mobility: A systematic review

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this systematic review was to identify published evidence on the association between common mental disorders (CMDs), changes in socioeconomic outcomes, and social mobility. Methods: Systematic literature searches were conducted across seven databases up to May 2022. Quantitative studies were included based on the following criteria: 1) cohort study design, 2) the population had a common mental disorder, 3) Outcomes reported related to social mobility and social class (due to the limited direct measures of social mobility and social class, changes in socioeconomic outcomes were included as proxies of social mobility). The identified studies were analysed using narrative synthesis. Results: There was more evidence for the negative intragenerational than intergenerational association of CMDs on educational attainment, income, and occupational status. Considering the intergenerational association on educational attainment, there was an association between parental mental health disorders on parent-child interactions which subsequently affects their child’s mental health. This in turn may negatively impact their child’s educational progression. Only one study investigated the direct association of CMDs with changes in social class and subsequent social mobility. Conclusion: Given the evidence of the negative intragenerational association between CMDs and socioeconomic outcomes, it is important to promote mental health interventions adapted to the work and educational environment that adequately equip individuals to maintain their own mental health. Additionally, within the home environment, there is a need to further understand how negative parent-child interactions impact a child’s mental health and develop strategies to mitigate how this may impact subsequent social mobility.