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Mental health and the jilted generation: Using age-period-cohort analysis to assess differential trends in young people's mental health following the Great Recession and austerity in England

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  • Thomson, Rachel M.
  • Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal

Abstract

Those born in the United Kingdom post-1979 have been described as a ‘jilted generation’, materially disadvantaged by economic and social policy; however, it is unclear whether this resulted in their experiencing poorer mental health than previous cohorts. Following the 2008 recession, UK austerity reforms associated with worsening mental health also disproportionately impacted those of younger working-age. This study aimed to identify any historic cohort changes in population mental health, and whether austerity widened generational inequalities. Repeat cross-sectional data from the Health Survey for England (1991–2014) were used to calculate prevalence of psychopathology for those of younger and older working-age (16–30 and 31–64 years) and retirement-age (65+ years), measured by General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ) score ≥ 4 (caseness). Descriptive age-period-cohort analysis was performed for 15-year birth cohorts, including the jilted generation (born 1976-90). Logistic regression tested differences in outcome between groups.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomson, Rachel M. & Katikireddi, Srinivasa Vittal, 2018. "Mental health and the jilted generation: Using age-period-cohort analysis to assess differential trends in young people's mental health following the Great Recession and austerity in England," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 214(C), pages 133-143.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:214:y:2018:i:c:p:133-143
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.08.034
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Jan C. van Ours, 2021. "What a drag it is getting old? Mental health and loneliness beyond age 50," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 53(31), pages 3563-3576, July.
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    5. van Ours, Jan C., 2020. "What a drag it is getting old? Mental health and loneliness beyond age 50," CEPR Discussion Papers 15438, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    6. Griffith, Gareth J. & Jones, Kelvyn, 2019. "Understanding the population structure of the GHQ-12: Methodological considerations in dimensionally complex measurement outcomes," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 243(C).

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