The effects of economic deprivation on psychological well-being among the working population of Switzerland.
BACKGROUND
The association between poverty and mental health has been widely investigated. There is, however, limited evidence of mental health implications of working poverty, despite its representing a rapidly expanding segment of impoverished populations in many developed nations. In this study, we examined whether working poverty in Switzerland, a country with substantial recent growth among the working poor, was correlated with two dependent variables of interest: psychological health and unmet mental health need.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study used data drawn from the first 3 waves (1999-2001) of the Swiss Household Panel, a nationally representative sample of the permanent resident population of Switzerland. The study sample comprised 5453 subjects aged 20-59 years. We used Generalized Estimating Equation models to investigate the association between working poverty and psychological well-being; we applied logistic regression models to analyze the link between working poverty and unmet mental health need. Working poverty was represented by dummy variables indicating financial deficiency, restricted standard of living, or both conditions.


RESULTS
After controlling other factors, restricted standard of living was significantly (p < .001) negatively correlated with psychological well-being; it was also associated with approximately 50% increased risk of unmet mental health need (OR = 1.55; 95% CI 1.17-2.06).


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study contribute to our understanding of the potential psychological impact of material deprivation on working Swiss citizens. Such knowledge may aid in the design of community intervention programs to help reduce the individual and societal burdens of poverty in Switzerland.
Vetter
Stefan
S
Center for Disaster and Military Psychiatry, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland. stefan.vetter@access.unizh.ch
Endrass
Jerome
J
Schweizer
Ivo
I
Teng
Hsun-Mei
HM
Rossler
Wulf
W
Gallo
William T
WT
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019049:Developed Countries / Q000191:economics; D004651:Employment / Q000191:economics* / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013557:Switzerland / Q000453:epidemiology; D035862:Vulnerable Populations / Q000523:psychology*