Explaining the association between subjective social status and mental health among university students using an impact ratings approach

Abstract Background Changes in the subjective social status (SSS) of migrants, specifically between the pre- and post-migratory movement, can be a relevant determinant of their mental health condition. This study analyzed the effect of downward subjective social mobility to the mental health of asylum seekers and refugees (ASR) in Germany. Methods Through a random sampling procedure, 560 adult ASR (18+ years) were recruited across 58 collective accommodation centers in Germanys' 3rd largest state (2018). SSS was assessed with the MacArthur social ladder (10-rungs), in reference to the participants' position in the country of origin and in Germany. Quality of Life (QoL, measured with EUROHIS-QOL), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder-2) and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), were considered as mental health outcomes. Generalized linear regression models were fitted to measure associations between changes in SSS and each outcome. Results A loss of 3 or more steps in SSS from origin to Germany (compared to no-change) was significantly associated with poorer scores in QoL (B, standardized coefficient= -2.679, standard error, se = 1.351, p = 0.047), with more symptoms of depression (B = 1.156, se = 0.389, p = 0.003) and anxiety (B = 0.971, se = 0.432, p = 0.025), in models adjusted for SSS in the country of origin. The strength and direction of associations was unaltered after further adjusting for sex, age, educational level and time since arrival, although the coefficient for QoL was non-significant for those declaring a 3-step downward mobility (B= -2.494, se = 1.351, p = 0.066 for QoL; B = 1.048, se = 0.393, p = 0.008 for depression; and B = 1.006, se = 0.438, p = 0.022 for anxiety). Discussion The results suggest that interventions should focus on those experiencing social downward mobility and not only prioritize individuals with low social status. Early integration efforts and intersectoral measures to counter social downward mobility could prevent poor mental health among ASR. Key messages We analysed the impact to the quality of life and mental health of asylum seekers and refugees, of a change in subjective social status from country of origin to Germany. Asylum seekers and refugees residing in Germany, who perceived a downward social status mobility following their migration process, are at risk for poorer mental health.

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The role of negative affect in the relation between subjective social status and mental health among economically disadvantaged Latinos in primary care

International Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare ◽

10.1108/ijhrh-03-2016-0003 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 9 (4) ◽

pp. 219-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Michael Zvolensky ◽

Jafar Bakhshaie ◽

Daniel J. Paulus ◽

Monica Garza ◽

Jeanette Valdivieso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Primary Care ◽

Negative Affect ◽

Social Status ◽

Social Life ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

Minority Population ◽

Latino Population ◽

Content Type

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the explanatory role of negative affect in the relation between subjective social status and anxiety/depressive disorders, suicidality symptoms, and disruption in life domains (i.e. disability; work/school, social life, and family life/home responsibilities) among Latinos seeking health services at a primary healthcare facility. Design/methodology/approach An experiment was designed using participants including 205 adult Latinos (Mage=39.2; SD=11.4) with annual incomes of less than $30,000. The sample was mostly female (85.9 percent) with a majority (98.5 percent) indicating Spanish as their first language. Findings Results indicated that subjective social status was indirectly related to the mental health variables through negative affect. Notably, these observed effects were evident above and beyond the variance accounted for by gender, age, marital status, educational status, employment status, and number of years in the USA. Research limitations/implications The present findings suggest that there is merit in focusing further scientific attention on the interplay between subjective social status and negative affect to better understand and possibly intervene to reduce anxiety/depressive vulnerability and disability among Latinos in primary care settings. Originality/value The current study sheds light on the relationship between social status and negative affect in the Latino population. Elucidating mental health in a minority population such as the Latino population provides insight into the mental health needs among minorities that have yet to be addressed.

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When Subjective Social Status Matters: Moderating Effects in the Association between Victimization and Mental Health

Victims & Offenders ◽

10.1080/15564886.2020.1804029 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-18

Author(s):

Carla Antunes ◽

Eunice Magalhães ◽

Célia Ferreira ◽

Joana Cabral ◽

Inês Jongenelen

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Status ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

Moderating Effects

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Unemployment and mental health in the German population: the role of subjective social status

Psychology Research and Behavior Management ◽

10.2147/prbm.s207971 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol Volume 12 ◽

pp. 557-564 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Marie Neubert ◽

Philipp Süssenbach ◽

Winfried Rief ◽

Frank Euteneuer

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Status ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

German Population

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The association between subjective social status and mental health among Asian immigrants: Investigating the influence of age at immigration

Social Science & Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.socscimed.2007.11.028 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 66 (5) ◽

pp. 1152-1164 ◽

Cited By ~ 84

Author(s):

Janxin Leu ◽

Irene H. Yen ◽

Stuart A. Gansky ◽

Emily Walton ◽

Nancy E. Adler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Status ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

Asian Immigrants

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College Selectivity, Subjective Social Status, and Mental Health in Young Adulthood

Society and Mental Health ◽

10.1177/2156869319869401 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 257-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jeremy E. Uecker ◽

Lindsay R. Wilkinson

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Social Status ◽

College Graduates ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

Adult Health ◽

Selective College ◽

College Selectivity ◽

National Longitudinal Study ◽

Using Data

Research on education and mental health has focused primarily on the benefits of higher levels of educational attainment. Other aspects of education, such as college selectivity, may also be associated with mental health, and higher subjective social status (SSS) is a potential pathway through which college selectivity and mental health could be linked. Using data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study (a) examines whether college selectivity influences mental health independent of objective measures of socioeconomic status and (b) assesses the role of SSS in this relationship. Among college graduates, attending a more selective college is associated with higher ratings of SSS, which in turn are associated with fewer depressive symptoms and lower perceived stress and anxiety. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of college selectivity and SSS in the mental health of young adults.

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Socioeconomic position over the life-course and subjective social status in relation to nutritional status and mental health among Guatemalan adults

SSM - Population Health ◽

10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100880 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 100880

Author(s):

Jithin Sam Varghese ◽

Rachel Waford Hall ◽

Ann M. DiGirolamo ◽

Reynaldo Martorell ◽

Manuel Ramirez-Zea ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Nutritional Status ◽

Life Course ◽

Social Status ◽

Socioeconomic Position ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

The Life Course

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Subjective social status and its relationship to health and health behavior: comparing two different scales in university students

International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health ◽

10.1515/ijamh-2017-0079 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (6) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Katharina Diehl ◽

Jens Hoebel ◽

Diana Sonntag ◽

Jennifer Hilger

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Health Outcomes ◽

Social Status ◽

Sociodemographic Factors ◽

Subjective Social Status ◽

Individual Study ◽

And Behaviors ◽

Study Context ◽

The University ◽

The Relationship

Abstract Background Little is known about the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and health in late adolescence. As it is difficult to measure SES in this age group directly, we used two subjective social status (SSS) scales with different reference groups for social comparison in the relatively homogeneous group of university students and analyzed the relationship with health and health behaviors. Methods We used two 10-rung ladders, a societal and a university one, to measure SSS in students (n = 689, 16–29 years). We compared the scales’ ratings and analyzed relationships with sociodemographic factors, health outcomes and behaviors. Results On average, students rated their individual SSS higher on the university scale (6.87) than on the societal one (6.41). Regarding health outcomes and behaviors, we found similar results for both scales, while sociodemographic variables were more likely to be associated with the societal scale. Conclusion SSS seems to be a useful measure besides the objective SES. Our data suggest that both SSS scales are helpful in the framework of health inequality but differ slightly in what they measure. More detailed research may help to determine which scale is appropriate for individual study context.

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