title: Do stressful events account for the link between socioeconomic status and mental health?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to prospectively examine the relationships between socioeconomic status (SES), demographic variables and mental health and to determine whether number of life stressors mediated these relationships.
  
  
  METHODS
  Wave 1 (2001-02) and 2 (2004-05) data from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC; n = 34,459) were used in the current study. Controlling for wave 1 mental health, a mediation model was tested to determine the relative impact of socioeconomic and demographic variables (all measured at wave 1) on mental health 3 years later (wave 2). The number of life stressors experienced in the 12 months prior to wave 1, assessed at wave 1, was evaluated as the mediator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Findings indicated that SES, age, race/ethnicity, gender and marital status independently predicted changes in mental health ratings at wave 2. In addition, the number of life stressors mediated the relation between socioeconomic and demographic variables and mental health. Exposure to life stressors helps to explain commonly reported socioeconomic and demographic disparities in mental health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings may suggest that reducing exposure to stressors and/or improving coping with life stressors may both improve mental health and reduce health disparities.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 7539-9128, USA UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Population Science and Cancer Control Program, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Businelle
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 7539-9128, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Mills
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 7539-9128, USA.
authors.forename: K G
authors.initials: KG
authors.lastname: Chartier
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 7539-9128, USA UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Population Science and Cancer Control Program, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Kendzor
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 7539-9128, USA.
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Reingle
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health, 6011 Harry Hines Blvd., V8.112, Dallas, TX 7539-9128, USA UT Southwestern Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center, Population Science and Cancer Control Program, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Shuval
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012923:Social Class; D014481:United States
keywords: life stress; mediation analysis; mental health; socioeconomic status