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Absolute and relative educational inequalities in depression in Europe

Author

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  • Pieter Dudal

    (HeDeRa (Health and Demographic Research), Ghent University)

  • Piet Bracke

    (HeDeRa (Health and Demographic Research), Ghent University)

Abstract

Objectives To investigate (1) the size of absolute and relative educational inequalities in depression, (2) their variation between European countries, and (3) their relationship with underlying prevalence rates. Methods Analyses are based on the European Social Survey, rounds three and six (N = 57,419). Depression is measured using the shortened Centre of Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Education is coded by use of the International Standard Classification of Education. Country-specific logistic regressions are applied. Results Results point to an elevated risk of depressive symptoms among the lower educated. The cross-national patterns differ between absolute and relative measurements. For men, large relative inequalities are found for countries including Denmark and Sweden, but are accompanied by small absolute inequalities. For women, large relative and absolute inequalities are found in Belgium, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Results point to an empirical association between inequalities and the underlying prevalence rates. However, the strength of the association is only moderate. Discussions This research stresses the importance of including both measurements for comparative research and suggests the inclusion of the level of population health in research into inequalities in health.

Suggested Citation

  • Pieter Dudal & Piet Bracke, 2016. "Absolute and relative educational inequalities in depression in Europe," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(7), pages 787-795, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:61:y:2016:i:7:d:10.1007_s00038-016-0837-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-016-0837-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mackenbach, Johan P. & Kunst, Anton E., 1997. "Measuring the magnitude of socio-economic inequalities in health: An overview of available measures illustrated with two examples from Europe," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 44(6), pages 757-771, March.
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    4. Olaf von dem Knesebeck & Elise Pattyn & Piet Bracke, 2011. "Education and depressive symptoms in 22 European countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 56(1), pages 107-110, February.
    5. Kunst, A.E. & Mackenbach, J.P., 1994. "The size of mortality differences associated with educational level in nine industrialized countries," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 84(6), pages 932-937.
    6. Mackenbach, Johan P., 2012. "The persistence of health inequalities in modern welfare states: The explanation of a paradox," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 75(4), pages 761-769.
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    Cited by:

    1. Bracke, Piet & Delaruelle, Katrijn & Dereuddre, Rozemarijn & Van de Velde, Sarah, 2020. "Depression in women and men, cumulative disadvantage and gender inequality in 29 European countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    2. Patrick Präg & S. V. Subramanian, 2017. "Educational inequalities in self-rated health across US states and European countries," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(6), pages 709-716, July.
    3. Vonneilich, Nico & Lüdecke, Daniel & von dem Knesebeck, Olaf, 2020. "Educational inequalities in self-rated health and social relationships – analyses based on the European Social Survey 2002-2016," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    4. Thomas Hansen & Britt Slagsvold & Marijke Veenstra, 2017. "Educational inequalities in late-life depression across Europe: results from the generations and gender survey," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 14(4), pages 407-418, December.

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