Social Status and Psychological Disorder: A Causal Inquiry.

Abstract

For some years now, these two factors, social status and psychological disorder and their interrelationships, have intrigued medical and social science researchers. A considerable body of published material has resulted. From the findings of a number of pertinent studies and from their own research, the Dohrenwends have drawn together in this book much of the most important relevant material. They combine this with a perceptive discussion of theoretical and methodological problems and offer promising suggestions for future investigations. To present an organized survey of work in such a wide area is a commendable achievement. From reviewed material on the four social status factors—age, sex, ethnicity, and social class—only the last has been consistently found to be related to the frequency of "psychological disorder." Almost every reported study has found increasing rate of disorder with decreasing social class. Acceptance of