Social Inequality is one of the most commonly discussed topics in societies worldwide. Significant associations between low socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health problems have been found throughout the developed world in studies of both adults and children. The World Health Organization has stated that mental health problems are a public health issue worldwide, while 20–25% of individuals develop at least one mental disorder in their lifetime (World Health Organization, 2001). While the impact of social factors on adult health leads in research, examining this topic in adolescence has become more common. Increasing poverty rates are among children and adolescents (UNICEF, 2005), and poor health as a consequence of socioeconomic disparities
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Social selection theory implies that people with mental health problems drift down in socioeconomic position because of their inability to fulfill expected role commitments (Eaton, 1980). The social causation theory (Dohrenwend & Dohrenwend, 1969) suggests that mental health problems are a result of socioeconomic deprivation. Previous research has reported that half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders occur by the age of 14, and low childhood SES was found to be associated with disadvantages in health and economic position in adulthood (Kessler et al., 2005; Case & Paxson, 2006; Cohen, Janicki-Deverts, Chen, & Matthews, 2010; Poulton et al., 2002). These facts signify the importance of mental health in youth. Understanding the mechanisms between low SES and childhood and early adolescent psychopathology could contribute toward insight into mental health problems and improve interventions to prevent and reduce burden from such …show more content…
Educational attainment is not only a major component of SES indicators but it is also major predictor of s income and occupational prestige over the life course (Sewell, Hauser, and Featherman 1976; Hauser 1994; Jencks et al. 1979). As an initial step, education is an important factor in status attainment (Sewell and Hauser 1976, p. 13). With limted educational attainment, adolescents may have already selected themselves into the lower social strata before becoming an adult. This is a process that is a representation of selection effects as it influenced by adolescent mental
Social selection theory implies that people with mental health problems drift down in socioeconomic position because of their inability to fulfill expected role commitments (Eaton, 1980). The social causation theory (Dohrenwend & Dohrenwend, 1969) suggests that mental health problems are a result of socioeconomic deprivation. Previous research has reported that half of all lifetime cases of mental disorders occur by the age of 14, and low childhood SES was found to be associated with disadvantages in health and economic position in adulthood (Kessler et al., 2005; Case & Paxson, 2006; Cohen, Janicki-Deverts, Chen, & Matthews, 2010; Poulton et al., 2002). These facts signify the importance of mental health in youth. Understanding the mechanisms between low SES and childhood and early adolescent psychopathology could contribute toward insight into mental health problems and improve interventions to prevent and reduce burden from such …show more content…
Educational attainment is not only a major component of SES indicators but it is also major predictor of s income and occupational prestige over the life course (Sewell, Hauser, and Featherman 1976; Hauser 1994; Jencks et al. 1979). As an initial step, education is an important factor in status attainment (Sewell and Hauser 1976, p. 13). With limted educational attainment, adolescents may have already selected themselves into the lower social strata before becoming an adult. This is a process that is a representation of selection effects as it influenced by adolescent mental