Decomposition and changes in socio-economic inequalities in mental health in Barcelona between 2006 and 2016
Journal of Public Mental Health
ISSN: 1746-5729
Article publication date: 4 August 2021
Issue publication date: 26 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims, firstly, to analyse the contribution of socio-economic determinants to mental health (MH) inequalities before the economic crisis, in 2006, and again in a year during recovery, 2016, and secondly, to analyse the changes in these contributions between the two points in time in Barcelona city.
Design/methodology/approach
The concentration index (CI) was calculated for MH inequalities for the population aged 16 or older using the Barcelona Health Surveys for 2006 and 2016. MH was measured with the 12-item General Health Questionnaire. The CI was broken down for each year and gender based on a set of socio-economic determinants plus social support and the presence of chronic diseases. The contribution of each factor to variation in MH inequality between the two points in time was analysed with Oaxaca decomposition.
Findings
Income inequalities in MH increased for men and women (a CI from −0.06 in 2006 to around −0.16 in 2016). Employment status and social class are the main contributors to MH inequalities (more than 50%), except for women in 2006 that is chronic disease. The main contribution to increases in MH inequality between 2006 and 2016 was due to unemployment (26.5% men, 23.8% women), being a student (22.8% men, 20.7% women), homemaker in women (30.7%) and men in the manual class (31.6%).
Originality/value
MH inequalities have been amplified between the two years among the economically vulnerable population or for those who are out of the labour market with unexpected changes for women.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
Funding: None.Competing interests: None.Ethical approval: Not required.
Citation
Bartoll-Roca, X., Gotsens, M. and Palència, L. (2021), "Decomposition and changes in socio-economic inequalities in mental health in Barcelona between 2006 and 2016", Journal of Public Mental Health, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 277-285. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-01-2021-0013
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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