Mental health outcomes in times of economic recession: a systematic literature review

• Published in: BMC public health Vol. 16; no. 115; p. 115
• Main Authors: Frasquilho, Diana, Matos, Margarida Gaspar, Salonna, Ferdinand, Guerreiro, Diogo, Storti, Cláudia C, Gaspar, Tânia, Caldas-de-Almeida, José M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 03.02.2016; BioMed Central
• Subjects: Cross-Sectional Studies; Economic analysis; Economic conditions; Economic factors; Economic Recession - statistics & numerical data; Employment; Forecasts and trends; Health problems; Humans; Income; Influence; International policy; Literature reviews; Living conditions; Medical economics; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Mental disorders; Mental Disorders - epidemiology; Mental health; Mental Health - statistics & numerical data; Populations; Psychiatric services; Public health; Qualitative research; Recessions; Scientific papers; Studies; Suicide; Unemployment - psychology
• ISSN: 1471-2458; 1471-2458
• DOI: 10.1186/s12889-016-2720-y

Countries in recession experience high unemployment rates and a decline in living conditions, which, it has been suggested, negatively influences their populations' health. The present review examines the recent evidence of the possible association between economic recessions and mental health outcomes. Literature review of records identified through Medline, PsycINFO, SciELO, and EBSCO Host. Only original research papers, published between 2004 and 2014, peer-reviewed, non-qualitative research, and reporting on associations between economic factors and proxies of mental health were considered. One-hundred-one papers met the inclusion criteria. The evidence was consistent that economic recessions and mediators such as unemployment, income decline, and unmanageable debts are significantly associated with poor mental wellbeing, increased rates of common mental disorders, substance-related disorders, and suicidal behaviours. On the basis of a thorough analysis of the selected investigations, we conclude that periods of economic recession are possibly associated with a higher prevalence of mental health problems, including common mental disorders, substance disorders, and ultimately suicidal behaviour. Most of the research is based on cross-sectional studies, which seriously limits causality inferences. Conclusions are summarised, taking into account international policy recommendations concerning the cost-effective measures that can possibly reduce the occurrence of negative mental health outcomes in populations during periods of economic recession.