Meta-Analysis Uncovers Link Between Income Change and Mental Health

Meta-Analysis Uncovers , Link Between Income Change , and Mental Health.

According to research published in 'The Lancet Public Health,' income loss at any level was found to be linked with worsened mental health outcomes.

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Psypost reports that the study found the opposite was the case for an increase in income, which was associated with improved mental health outcomes.

The study's lead author, Rachel Thompson, and her colleagues investigated how income loss or gain can impact an individual's mental health.

Researchers looked at 136 studies regarding income changes and mental health, including impacts like anxiety, depression and quality of life.

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Income changes included in the studies were related to healthcare, taxes, disasters, salary fluctuation and transfers of cash.

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Regardless of the source of income loss or gain, 88.9% of the studies found that even slight changes in income had impacts on mental health.

The research found that financial loss has a more significant negative impact on mental health than financial gain has a positive impact on mental health.

Negative mental health outcomes following income loss were associated with two-and-a-half times the magnitude of positive outcomes from income gains.

To be most supportive of population mental health and reduce inequalities, policy makers should design income and welfare policies that provide an adequate financial safety net for the most socioeconomically disadvantaged, Study authors, via Psypost.

There would be considerable value in future research investigating the mechanisms linking income and health, and the incorporation of these findings into intervention planning and evaluation, Study authors, via Psypost.

There would be considerable value in future research investigating the mechanisms linking income and health, and the incorporation of these findings into intervention planning and evaluation, Study authors, via Psypost