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Cited by 2,603Health disparities and outcomesMental Health Treatment and AccessEmployment and Welfare Studies

Socioeconomic inequalities in depression: a meta-analysis

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Lorant, V.·2003·American Journal of Epidemiology
DOI 10.1093/aje/kwf182
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Abstract

Low socioeconomic status (SES) is generally associated with high psychiatric morbidity, more disability, and poorer access to health care. Among psychiatric disorders, depression exhibits a more controversial association with SES. The authors carried out a meta-analysis to evaluate the magnitude, shape, and modifiers of such an association. The search found 51 prevalence studies, five incidence studies, and four persistence studies meeting the criteria. A random effects model was applied to the odds ratio of the lowest SES group compared with the highest, and meta-regression was used to assess the dose-response relation and the influence of covariates. Results indicated that low-SES individuals had higher odds of being depressed (odds ratio = 1.81, p < 0.001), but the odds of a new episode (odds ratio = 1.24, p = 0.004) were lower than the odds of persisting depression (odds ratio = 2.06, p < 0.001). A dose-response relation was observed for education and income. Socioeconomic inequality in depression is heterogeneous and varies according to the way psychiatric disorder is measured, to the definition and measurement of SES, and to contextual features such as region and time. Nonetheless, the authors found compelling evidence for socioeconomic inequality in depression. Strategies for tackling inequality in depression are needed, especially in relation to the course of the disorder.

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  • Low socioeconomic status is a significant risk factor for MDD.

    “Although MDD is present in individuals of various social situations, it seems to increase considerably in poor populations and low socioeconomic status, suggesting that this condition is a significant risk factor for the disorder [7],[16],[17].”

    From Stress and serum cortisol levels in major depressive disorder: a cross-sectional study (2020) · cites this paper as [16]

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Authors
Lorant, V.
Affiliations
UCLouvain (BE)
Corresponding author
Lorant, V.
ORCID
Lorant, V.
Venue
American Journal of Epidemiology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2003-01-15
Volume
157
Issue
2
Pages
98-112
ISSN
0002-9262 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1093/aje/kwf182
OpenAlex
W2165626243
Cited by
2,603
References
9
Citations by year
2026: 103 · 2025: 156 · 2024: 144 · 2023: 120 · 2022: 170 · 2021: 151 · 2020: 169 · 2019: 157 · 2018: 148 · 2017: 189 · 2016: 124 · 2015: 143 · 2014: 135 · 2013: 102 · 2012: 114
FWCI
4.86
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DIAL (Catholic University of Leuven) (submittedVersion)
  • ORBi (University of Liège) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
  • DigitalGeorgetown (Georgetown University Library) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • U.S. Public Health Service (47447)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (47447)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Health › Health disparities and outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Employment and Welfare Studies
Keywords
depression, socioeconomic status, socioeconomic disparities, depression prevalence, depression incidence, dysthymia, dose-response relationship, income, health disparities
MeSH terms
Depression, Educational Status, Humans, Income, Regression Analysis, Social Class, Incidence, Prevalence, Confidence Intervals

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