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The emergence of social gaps in mental health: A longitudinal population study in Sweden, 1900-1959

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  • Johan Junkka
  • Glenn Sandström
  • Lotta Vikström

Abstract

During the recent decades, social inequalities in mental health have increased and are now one of the most persistent features of contemporary society. There is limited knowledge about when this pattern emerged or whether it has been a historically fixed feature. The objective of this study was to assess whether socioeconomic and gender gaps in mental health changed during the period 1900–1959 in Sweden. We used historical micro data which report all necessary information on individuals' demographic characteristics, occupational attainment and mental disorders (N = 2,450) in a Swedish population of 193,893. Changes over time was tested using multilevel Cox proportional hazard models. We tested how gender-specific risks of mental disorder changed and how gender-specific socioeconomic status was related to risks of mental disorder later in life. We found a reversal in gender gaps in mental health during the study period. Women had a lower risk than men in 1900 and higher risks in 1959. For men, we found a negative gradient in SES risks in 1900 and a positive gradient in 1959. For women, we found no clear SES gradient in the risk of mental disorder. These findings suggest that the contemporary patterns in socioeconomic and gender gaps in mental disorder emerged during the 1940s and 1950s and have since then persisted.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Junkka & Glenn Sandström & Lotta Vikström, 2020. "The emergence of social gaps in mental health: A longitudinal population study in Sweden, 1900-1959," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(4), pages 1-17, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0232462
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232462
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Edvinsson, Sören & Lindkvist, Marie, 2011. "Wealth and health in 19th Century Sweden. A study of social differences in adult mortality in the Sundsvall region," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 376-388, July.
    2. Glenn Sandström, 2017. "A reversal of the socioeconomic gradient of nuptiality during the Swedish mid-20th-century baby boom," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 37(50), pages 1625-1658.
    3. Reiss, Franziska, 2013. "Socioeconomic inequalities and mental health problems in children and adolescents: A systematic review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 24-31.
    4. Sari Pekkala & Hannu Tervo, 2002. "Unemployment and Migration: Does Moving Help?," Scandinavian Journal of Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 104(4), pages 621-639, December.
    5. Bengtsson, Tommy & Dribe, Martin, 2011. "The late emergence of socioeconomic mortality differentials: A micro-level study of adult mortality in southern Sweden 1815-1968," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 48(3), pages 389-400, July.
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