Social mobility over the lifecourse and self reported mental health at age 50: prospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effect of socioeconomic status throughout the lifecourse on self reported mental health at age 50 years.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study


METHODS
Community setting in Newcastle upon Tyne, north east England.


METHODS
503 subjects from a birth cohort assembled in 1947 who completed the 28 item version of the general health questionnaire (GHQ-28).


RESULTS
There was an association between socioeconomic group at birth and reporting a clinically significant GHQ-28 score at age 50 (OR 5.5 95% CI 1.2 to 25.4 comparing the least with the most advantaged socioeconomic group). A downward socioeconomic trajectory over the whole lifecourse was associated with poorer self reported mental health in men (p<0.001) but not women (p=0.8).


CONCLUSIONS
Socioeconomic position throughout the lifecourse may act differently on mental health at middle age depending on a person's sex.
Tiffin
Paul A
PA
Paediatric and Lifecourse Epidemiology Research Group, School of Clinical Medical Sciences, Sir James Spence Institute, Royal Victoria Infirmary, University of Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 4LP, UK.
Pearce
Mark S
MS
Parker
Louise
L
D004739:England; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D012923:Social Class; D012937:Social Mobility