RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Does income inequality get under the skin? A multilevel analysis of depression, anxiety and mental disorders in São Paulo, Brazil
JF Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health
JO J Epidemiol Community Health
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd
SP 966
OP 972
DO 10.1136/jech-2013-202626
VO 67
IS 11
A1 Alexandre Dias Porto Chiavegatto Filho
A1 Ichiro Kawachi
A1 Yuan Pang Wang
A1 Maria Carmen Viana
A1 Laura Helena Silveira Guerra Andrade
YR 2013
UL http://jech.bmj.com/content/67/11/966.abstract
AB Objective Test the original income inequality theory, by analysing its association with depression, anxiety and any mental disorders. Methods We analysed a sample of 3542 individuals aged 18 years and older selected through a stratified, multistage area probability sample of households from the São Paulo Metropolitan Area. Mental disorder symptoms were assessed using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Bayesian multilevel logistic models were performed. Results Living in areas with medium and high-income inequality was statistically associated with increased risk of depression, relative to low-inequality areas (OR 1.76; 95% CI 1.21 to 2.55, and 1.53; 95% CI 1.07 to 2.19, respectively). The same was not true for anxiety (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.90 to 1.73, and OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.79 to 1.46). In the case of any mental disorder, results were mixed. Conclusions In general, our findings were consistent with the income inequality theory, that is, people living in places with higher income inequality had an overall higher odd of mental disorders, albeit not always statistically significant. The fact that depression, but not anxiety, was statistically significant could indicate a pathway by which inequality influences health.