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Recession Linked to Significant and Sustained Increase in Major Depression

The recent Great Recession was accompanied by a significant and sustained increase in major depression in U.S. adults, according to a Loyola study published in the Journal of Clinical Psychiatry.

Prevalence of major depression increased from 2.33% during the years 2005-2006 to 3.49% in 2009-2010 to 3.79% in 2011-2012, according to the study by Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine researchers. Prevalence of less-severe depression increased from 4.1% in 2005-2006 to 4.79% in 2009-2010, but then declined to 3.68% in 2011-2012.

The study is the first to evaluate the population-wide impact of the Great Recession on mental health.

The study was a collaboration among Loyola researchers in the Department of Public Health Sciences and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences.

Prevalence of both major and less severe depression was highest among adults who were living in poverty or had less than a high school education. "The mental health of these vulnerable populations may be most affected during time periods of economic distress, but more research is needed," researchers wrote.

It's plausible, researchers concluded, that the Great Recession's negative effects on employment, housing security, and stock investments contributed to the sustained increase in major depression. However, they noted it's possible other factors could have played a role.

"The impact of the economic downturn on depression prevalence should be considered when formulating future policies and programs to promote and maintain the health of the U.S. population," researchers wrote.

The Great Recession officially began in December 2007, and lasted for 18 months. But the effects of the recession, including high unemployment and home foreclosures and reduced consumer confidence, remained high even after the recession officially ended in June 2009. During the past decade, more than 8 million jobs were lost and about 3 million homes were foreclosed.

Researchers analyzed data from 24,182 adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey during the years 2005 to 2012. Respondents were judged to be depressed depending on their answers to a depression questionnaire.

The questionnaire asked about such depression criteria as depressed mood or irritability; decreased interest or pleasure in most activities; feelings of worthlessness or guilt; thoughts of suicide; and fatigue or loss of energy.

--Source: Loyola University Health System