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Stress Due to Inflation and Its Association with Anxiety and Depression Among Working-Age Adults in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • Mona Pathak

    (Pharmacotherapy Department, College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA)

  • Sophie Mitra

    (Department of Economics, Fordham University, 441 East Fordham Road, Bronx NY 10458, USA)

  • Jahnavi Pinnamraju

    (Pharmacotherapy Department, College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA)

  • Patricia A. Findley

    (School of Social Work, Loyola University Chicago, 820 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611, USA)

  • R. Constance Wiener

    (Department of Dental Practice and Rural Health, School of Dentistry, 104A HSC Addition, West Virginia University, P.O. Box 9448, Morgantown, WV 26506, USA)

  • Hao Wang

    (Department of Emergency Medicine, Integrative Emergency Services, JPS Health Network, Fort Worth, TX 76104, USA)

  • Bo Zhou

    (Pharmacotherapy Department, College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA)

  • Chan Shen

    (Department of Surgery, Penn State College of Medicine, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA 17033, USA)

  • Usha Sambamoorthi

    (Pharmacotherapy Department, College of Pharmacy, University of North Texas Health Sciences Center, Fort Worth, TX 76107, USA)

Abstract

Inflation generates stress, which may lead to high rates of anxiety and depression. Given the recent surge and subsequent decline in the inflation rate in the United States, the prevalence of stress due to inflation may vary, as well as its relationship with anxiety and depression. Therefore, we investigated the prevalence of stress due to inflation and its association with anxiety and depression over time among working-age adults in the United States. We conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis using Household Pulse Survey (HPS) data for the following weeks: Week 50 (5–17 October 2022) and Week 57 (26 April–8 May 2023). The HPS includes questions about individuals’ stress levels due to price increases in the past two months. We used logistic regressions to examine the association of stress (moderate or high stress versus little or no stress) due to inflation with depression and anxiety among working-age adults controlling for several factors, including demographic factors and social determinants of health. From October 2022 to April–May 2023, the prevalence of stress due to inflation affected more than three quarters of the population (77.7% and 78.7%, respectively). In logistic regressions, we found a significant positive association of stress due to inflation with depression (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) [95% CI] = 2.22 [1.92, 2.57]) and anxiety (AOR [95% CI] = 2.50 [2.18, 2.86]). Despite a decline in the prevalence of both depression and anxiety by three percentage points over the study period, the associations between stress, due to inflation on the one hand, and anxiety and depression, on the other, persisted over time. Stress due to inflation affects more than three-quarters of Americans, and is significantly associated with depression and anxiety. Stress due to inflation is a significant and persistent public health issue.

Suggested Citation

  • Mona Pathak & Sophie Mitra & Jahnavi Pinnamraju & Patricia A. Findley & R. Constance Wiener & Hao Wang & Bo Zhou & Chan Shen & Usha Sambamoorthi, 2024. "Stress Due to Inflation and Its Association with Anxiety and Depression Among Working-Age Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2024:i:1:p:26-:d:1555621
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Claudia Andrade & Martie Gillen & José Alberto Molina & Melissa J. Wilmarth, 2022. "The Social and Economic Impact of Covid-19 on Family Functioning and Well-Being: Where do we go from here?," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 43(2), pages 205-212, June.
    2. Sophie Mitra & Chan Shen & Jahnavi Pinnamraju & R. Constance Wiener & Hao Wang & Mona Pathak & Patricia A. Findley & Usha Sambamoorthi, 2024. "Stress Due to Inflation: Changes over Time, Correlates, and Coping Strategies among Working-Age Adults in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-16, January.
    3. Soomin Ryu & Lu Fan, 2023. "The Relationship Between Financial Worries and Psychological Distress Among U.S. Adults," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 44(1), pages 16-33, March.
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