title: Social inequalities in mental health: results from the EU contribution to the World Mental Health Surveys Initiative.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present study was to provide updated data from nine European countries about the impact of social inequalities in the prevalence of common mental disorders.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional household survey of a representative sample of the adult general population of Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Romania and Spain. In total, 34,395 individuals were included. Social inequalities in 12-month mood, anxiety and alcohol-related disorders were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In Europe, income seems not to be related to the prevalence of mental disorders. Unemployment and disablement are associated with mental disorders. Lower educational level augments the risk for mood disorders. Living in small (rural) areas decreases the risk for mood disorders and living in urban settings increases it. Northern Ireland, Portugal and Belgium are the countries with the highest risks for mental disorders.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite some contradictions with previous literature, in Europe there are social inequalities in the prevalence of mental disorders. However, income showed not to be associated with inequalities in mental health. Being younger, unemployed or disabled, with no education or incomplete primary studies, living in urban settings, and in Northern Ireland, Portugal or Belgium were associated to an augmented prevalence of mental disorders. Policy makers could focus on mental health promotion and mental disorders prevention programmes for risk groups such as unemployed/disabled individuals. Support to vulnerable groups (unemployed or those with less education) and mental health literacy can improve European citizens' mental health.
authors.affiliation: Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, C/Dr. Antoni Pujadas, 42, Sant Boi de Llobregat, 08830 Barcelona, Spain. apinto@pssjd.org
authors.forename: Alejandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pinto-Meza
authors.forename: Maria Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Moneta
authors.forename: Jordi
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: Matthias C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Angermeyer
authors.forename: Ronny
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bruffaerts
authors.forename: José Miguel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Caldas de Almeida
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Girolamo
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: de Graaf
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Florescu
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kovess Masfety
authors.forename: Siobhan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.forename: Svetlozar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vassilev
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Haro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D014943:Global Health; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult