Income disparity and mental wellbeing among adults in semi-urban and rural areas in Malaysia: The mediating role of social capital
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
6-1-2022
Abstract
Mental illness is rising worldwide and is more prevalent among the older population. Among others, socioeconomic status, particularly income, has a bearing on the prevalence of mental health. However, little is known about the underlying mechanism that explains the association between income and mental health. Hence, this study seeks to examine the mediating effect of social capital on the association between income and mental illness. Cross-sectional data consisting of 6651 respondents aged 55 years and above were used in this study. A validated tool known as the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, 21 items (DASS-21) was applied to examine mental illness, namely depression, anxiety, and stress. The Karlson, Holm, and Breen (KHB) method was employed to assess the intervening role of social capital on the association between income and mental illness. Results showed that those who disagreed in trust within the community had the highest partial mediation percentage. Those who disagreed in reciprocity, however, had the lowest partial mediation percentage, which explained the positive association between the middle 40% (M40) of the income group and depression, anxiety, and stress. Overall, the study suggests the need to increase trust and attachment within society to curb the occurrence of depression and anxiety.
Keywords
Income, Mental health, Social capital, Mediation, Older adults
Divisions
Socialprevent
Funders
Ministry of Higher Education via the Long-Term Research Grant (LRGS) LRGS/1/2016/UKM/02/1/5 (LRGS MRUN/F1/01/2019,Malaysia Research University Network (MRUN) LRGS/1/2016/UKM/02/1/5,LRGS MRUN/F1/01/2019,Research office of Monash University in Australia,Research office of Monash University in Malaysia
Publication Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
19
Issue
11
Publisher
MDPI
Publisher Location
ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND