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Effects of social security policy reforms on mental health and inequalities: A systematic review of observational studies in high-income countries

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  • Simpson, Julija
  • Albani, Viviana
  • Bell, Zoe
  • Bambra, Clare
  • Brown, Heather

Abstract

Evidence increasingly shows that changes to social security policies can affect population mental health. Thus, in the context of rising burden of mental illness, it is of major importance to better understand how expansions and contractions to the social security system may impact on mental health of both adults and children. The aim of this systematic review is to provide a synthesis of observational literature on the effects on mental health and inequalities in mental health of social security reforms.

Suggested Citation

  • Simpson, Julija & Albani, Viviana & Bell, Zoe & Bambra, Clare & Brown, Heather, 2021. "Effects of social security policy reforms on mental health and inequalities: A systematic review of observational studies in high-income countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:272:y:2021:i:c:s0277953621000496
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113717
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    2. Albani, Viviana & Brown, Heather & Vera-Toscano, Esperanza & Kingston, Andrew & Eikemo, Terje Andreas & Bambra, Clare, 2022. "Investigating the impact on mental wellbeing of an increase in pensions: A longitudinal analysis by area-level deprivation in England, 1998–2002," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).
    3. Wilson, Naomi & McDaid, Shari, 2021. "The mental health effects of a Universal Basic Income: A synthesis of the evidence from previous pilots," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 287(C).
    4. Oude Mulders, Jaap & Henkens, C.J.I.M. & van Dalen, Hendrik Peter, 2021. "Employees’ emotional, cognitive, and behavioral responses to increasing statutory retirement ages," Other publications TiSEM 4aab8515-50c9-4c23-bd2f-3, Tilburg University, School of Economics and Management.
    5. Reeves, Aaron & Fransham, Mark & Stewart, Kitty & Patrick, Ruth, 2022. "Does capping social security harm health? A natural experiment in the UK," LSE Research Online Documents on Economics 111825, London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library.

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