The relationship between socioeconomic status and depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis

: The relationship between socioeconomic status and depression is very inconsistent among existing studies. To clarify the overall strength of the association between the two and identify its influencing factors, a meta-analysis of 58 included studies (65 effect sizes) was conducted. The results showed that there was a small and negative correlation between socioeconomic status and depression ( r = –0.15, 95% CI [–0.18, –0.12]). In addition, the relationship between socioeconomic status and depression was moderated by measurement tools, types and forms of socioeconomic status, measurement tools of depression, as well as sampling year, but not by gender, age, design types, and individualism index. The results suggest that the disadvantage of socioeconomic status may be an important risk factor for depression. In an era when the gap between the rich and the poor is widening, caring about the survival and development plight of the people at the bottom of the society and establishing a long-term and effective support mechanism can reduce the incidence of depression from a social perspective.