PT - JOURNAL ARTICLE AU - Maletta, R AU - Daly, M AU - Noonan, R AU - Putra, IGNE AU - Vass, V AU - Robinson, E TI - OP50 Accumulation of discrimination over time and likelihood of probable mental health problems in UK adults: a longitudinal cohort study AID - 10.1136/jech-2024-SSMabstracts.41 DP - 2024 Aug 01 TA - Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health PG - A19--A20 VI - 78 IP - Suppl 1 4099 - http://jech.bmj.com/content/78/Suppl_1/A19.3.short 4100 - http://jech.bmj.com/content/78/Suppl_1/A19.3.full SO - J Epidemiol Community Health2024 Aug 01; 78 AB - Background The association between perceived discrimination and mental health is well established. However, limited research has examined whether repeated experiences of discrimination over time results in a larger mental health burden. If so, the detrimental effect of discrimination on mental health may have previously been underestimated. Moreover, it is unclear whether repeated discrimination experiences over time may have a more detrimental effect on mental health in already disadvantaged social groups (e.g., lower SES). Therefore, this study aims to assess the strength of association between repeated exposure to discrimination over time and mental health, and if SES moderates any observed association.Methods A sample of UK adults with self-reported discrimination experiences and baseline sociodemographic information (n = 3863) was taken from three waves of the UK Household Longitudinal Study (2015-2020). Stata 17 was used to conduct complete case analyses and missing follow-up data (n = 179) was imputed in sensitivity analyses. Logistic regression models assessed prospective associations between cumulative discrimination (number of timepoints discrimination was reported between 2015-2020) and probable mental health problems (GHQ-12; 4+ threshold) at follow-up (2020). Interactions between SES (income, education, occupation) and cumulative discrimination were added to assess moderation.Results 24% of the sample reported discrimination at one timepoint and 16% reported discrimination at multiple timepoints. 21% of the sample had follow-up probable mental health problems. Discrimination had a cumulative association with probable mental health problems. Participants reporting no discrimination versus one timepoint were less likely to report probable mental health problems (OR = 0.68, p<.001, 95% CI 0.56-0.83). The likelihood of probable mental health problems was greater for participants with discrimination at multiple timepoints (OR = 1.46, p =.002, 95% CI 1.15-1.86), versus only one timepoint. Sensitivity analyses with imputed data and continuous GHQ-12 scores showed consistent results. There was limited evidence that SES moderated effects of cumulative discrimination on probable mental health problems.Conclusion Amongst a sample of UK adults, experiencing discrimination at multiple timepoints increased the likelihood of experiencing probable mental health problems. There was limited evidence that this cumulative association differed by SES. This study only examined cumulative discrimination over time. Future research is warranted to examine other ways by which accumulation of discriminatory experiences can occur (e.g., experiencing multiple forms of discrimination, such as age and race) and associations with mental health. National measures designed to reduce discrimination experiences have the potential to benefit mental health.