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Poverty and mental illness are intricately connected, forming a vicious cycle where one often exacerbates the other. This bidirectional relationship has been further substantiated by a new study conducted by researchers from Amsterdam UMC, the University of Edinburgh, and the University of Modena. Published today in Nature Human Behaviour, the study reveals that while mental health issues can lead to financial instability, poverty is also a significant causal factor in developing mental health problems.
“This study indicates that certain mental health problems can make a person’s financial situation uncertain. But conversely, we also see that poverty can lead to mental health problems,” explains Marco Boks, psychiatrist at Amsterdam UMC.
The Complexity of Cause and Effect
Historically, research has shown a strong correlation between poverty and mental illness. However, distinguishing the cause from the effect has been challenging. Mental illness can disrupt a person’s ability to maintain employment and manage healthcare costs, thereby impacting financial stability. Conversely, financial hardship can induce psychological stress and exacerbate mental health issues.
A Robust Methodology
The researchers leveraged data from the UK Biobank and the international Psychiatric Genomic Consortium. By employing Mendelian randomization, a technique that uses genetic variants to determine the influence of risk factors on diseases, the team could disentangle the complex relationship between poverty and mental health.
“We discovered that schizophrenia and ADHD causally contribute to poverty. Conversely, poverty contributes to major depressive disorder and schizophrenia. Interestingly, the risk of anorexia nervosa is reduced in the context of poverty,” states Boks.
Detailed Findings
To quantify poverty, the study considered household income, occupational income, and social deprivation. Genetic information from participants allowed the researchers to identify the causal effects of poverty on mental illness with greater precision.
“We were able to capture aspects of poverty shared between the individual, the household, and the area in which one lives. This enabled us to better identify the causal effects of poverty on mental illness,” says David Hill, a statistical geneticist at the University of Edinburgh.
Policy Implications
The findings of this study have significant implications for public policy and intervention strategies. Recognizing the reciprocal relationship between poverty and mental health can help policymakers develop more effective programs to break this cycle.
“The research provides robust evidence for the need to also look at social factors such as poverty when investigating the development of mental illness,” emphasizes Boks.
“Our findings suggest that the reduction of inequalities could lead to substantial public mental health gains,” adds Mattia Marchi, a psychiatrist at the University of Modena.
Addressing Misconceptions
The study also clarifies misconceptions about using genetic data in this context. “There is often confusion about the use of genetic data to investigate the relationship between poverty and mental illness. We emphasize that this does not mean that poverty is genetic. On the contrary, with genetic data, we were able to identify poverty as a modifiable environmental factor for mental health,” concludes Boks.
This research underscores the importance of addressing socioeconomic factors in the fight against mental health problems and highlights the need for integrated approaches to improve both financial and psychological well-being.
For more information, refer to the study: Investigating the impact of poverty on mental illness in the UK Biobank using Mendelian randomization, Nature Human Behaviour (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41562-024-01919-3.
