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Subjective Economic Status in Adolescence: Determinants and Associations with Mental Health in the Norwegian Youth@Hordaland Study

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Abstract

We aimed to identify factors associated with perceived economic well-being (PEWB), and examine its association with symptoms of depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. In the Norwegian youth@hordaland study, 9166 16–19-year-olds provided information on perceived economic well-being and relevant covariates. Information about families’ income-to-needs was obtained from tax return forms. Adolescents in households with a low income-to-needs ratio, with non-working parents, and in single-parent households were more likely to report poor PEWB. Adolescents with poor PEWB reported more symptoms of depression and ADHD, also after adjusting for covariates, including income-to-needs. There was a significant indirect effect of income-to-needs on mental health problems though PEWB. The current study demonstrates the role of PEWB as a contributor in the pathway from social inequalities to disparities in mental health.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Regional Centre for Child and Youth Mental Health and Child Welfare, Uni Research Health, Nygårdsporten 112-114, Mailbox 7810, 5020, Bergen, Norway

    Tormod Bøe & Kjell Morten Stormark

  2. Department of Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology, Lynch School of Education, Boston College, Newton, MA, USA

    Eric Dearing

  3. Norwegian Center for Child Behavioral Development, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Eric Dearing & Henrik Daae Zachrisson

  4. Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, Christiesgate 13, 5020, Bergen, Norway

    Kjell Morten Stormark

  5. Center for Educational Measurement, Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway

    Henrik Daae Zachrisson

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  1. Tormod Bøe
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  2. Eric Dearing
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Bøe, T., Dearing, E., Stormark, K.M. et al. Subjective Economic Status in Adolescence: Determinants and Associations with Mental Health in the Norwegian Youth@Hordaland Study. J Fam Econ Iss 39, 323–336 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-017-9553-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-017-9553-4

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