Frequent financial difficulties were associated with a 1.53-fold increased risk of a major depressive episode one year later among Norwegian higher education students, after full adjustment.
Cohort (n=53,362)
Does financial strain increase the risk of a major depressive episode in higher education students?
Financial strain is associated with an increased risk of subsequent major depressive episodes among students, though a substantial portion of this risk is explained by baseline psychological distress.
Relative Risk: 1.53 (95% CI 1.28–1.83)
Absolute Event Rate: 45.4% vs 12.8%
p-value: p=0.002
BACKGROUND: Financial strain is increasingly recognised as a contributor to psychological distress, which may in turn elevate the risk of developing mental disorder. However, few large-scale longitudinal studies have investigated its predictive role using diagnostic outcomes among higher education students. AIMS: To examine whether financial strain predicts a major depressive episode (MDE) one year later among Norwegian students, and whether associations are explained by sociodemographic factors or baseline psychological distress. METHOD: = 10 460) using the self-administered Composite International Diagnostic Interview version 5. 0 (CIDI 5. 0). Inverse probability weighted Poisson regression with robust standard errors estimated the risk of 30-day DSM-5-defined MDE for each financial indicator. RESULTS: Financial strain was widespread: 6% reported frequent financial difficulties, 27% were unable to cover an emergency expense of 5000 Norwegian kroner (NOK; approximately €450/500, and 35% spent 60% or more of their income on housing. Several indicators significantly predicted later MDE. Students frequently experiencing financial difficulties had a 3. 55-fold increased risk (95% CI: 2. 97-4. 22), attenuating to 1. 53 (1. 28-1. 83) after full adjustment. Similar patterns emerged for most indicators. Associations were largely unaffected by sociodemographic adjustment, but were substantially reduced after accounting for baseline psychological distress. CONCLUSIONS: Financial strain was associated with increased risk of MDE one year later, although much of the association was explained by baseline distress. Policies should address both financial and psychological vulnerabilities through strengthened financial support, alignment with living costs and targeted measures such as financial counselling and housing assistance.
Sivertsen et al. (Fri,) conducted a cohort in Major depressive episode (MDE) (n=53,362). Frequent financial difficulties vs. No financial difficulties was evaluated on 30-day DSM-5-defined Major Depressive Episode (MDE) one year later (RR 1.53, 95% CI 1.28-1.83, p=0.002). Frequent financial difficulties were associated with a 1.53-fold increased risk of a major depressive episode one year later among Norwegian higher education students, after full adjustment.