Depression in the US Population During the Time Periods Surrounding the Great Recession
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the time periods surrounding the 2008 US economic downturn were accompanied by an increase in prevalence of depression in the US adult population. METHOD: We used data from the 24,182 adults aged ≥ 18 years who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during 2005-2012. A cross-sectional analysis was performed at each time period to determine prevalence of major and other depression as assessed by standardized questionnaires based on 9 criteria for major depressive episodes defined by DSM-IV. RESULTS: The demographic characteristics of the US population were similar across time periods except for the percentage of adults living in poverty, which increased from 26.43% during 2005-2006 to 33.46% during 2011-2012. The prevalence of major depression increased from 2.33% (95% CI, 1.64%-3.01%) during 2005-2006 to 3.49% (95% CI, 2.84%-4.03%) in 2009-2010 to 3.79% (95% CI, 3.01%-4.57%) in 2011-2012. Prevalence of other depression increased from 4.10% (95% CI, 3.37%-4.88%) in 2005-2006 to 4.79% (95% CI, 4.10%-5.44%) in the 2009-2010 period but then declined to 3.68% (95% CI, 2.84%-4.48%) in the 2011-2012 time period (P = .4). After adjustment for the distribution of age, sex, race/ethnicity, education, insurance status, and poverty status in the US adult noninstitutionalized population, each 2-year period after the 2005-2006 time period was associated with a 0.4% increase in major depression prevalence (P < .001). No significant differences in other depression prevalence were noted by time period (P = .6). CONCLUSIONS: The time periods surrounding the recent economic recession were accompanied by a significant and sustained increase in major depression prevalence in the US population. It is plausible that the recession, given its strong, persistent, and negative effects on employment, job and housing security, and stock investments, contributed to the sustained increase in prevalence of major depression in the US population, but other factors associated with the recession time period could have played a role. The impact of the economic downturn on depression prevalence should be considered when formulating future policies and programs to promote and maintain the health of the US population.
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This study found an association between low income and 12-month MDD, consistent with other studies conducted within the last 3 years.
“This study found association between low income and 12-month MDD, consistent with other studies conducted within the last 3 years.1,57,58”
From Epidemiology of Adult <i>DSM-5</i> Major Depressive Disorder and Its Specifiers in the United States (2018) · cites this paper as [57]
MDD was associated with substance use disorders, particularly drug disorders.
“Major depressive disorder was assoc iated w ith SUDs, particularly drug disorders, as found previously for cannabis, 40,62 nonmedical prescription opioids, 5,57,63 and drug use disorders.41”
From Epidemiology of Adult <i>DSM-5</i> Major Depressive Disorder and Its Specifiers in the United States (2018) · cites this paper as [57]
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- Authors
- Mehta, K., Kramer, H., Durazo-Arvizu, R., Cao, G., Tong, L., & Rao, M.
- Affiliations
- Loyola University Chicago (US)
- Venue
- The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
- Publisher
- Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc
- Published
- 2015-04-22
- Volume
- 76
- Issue
- 04
- Pages
- e499-e504
- ISSN
- 0160-6689 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2000407373
- Cited by
- 29
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 2 · 2018: 1 · 2017: 1 · 2016: 5
- FWCI
- 3.83
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Employment and Welfare Studies
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
- Keywords
- depression prevalence, Great Recession, economic recession, major depressive episode, poverty, economic hardship, mental health
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Age Factors, Aged, Child, Cross-Sectional Studies, Depressive Disorder, Major, Major Depressive Disorder, Humans, Infant, Middle Aged, Population Surveillance, Poverty, Sex Factors, United States, Insurance Coverage, Young Adult, Economic Recession
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