Heterogeneity of depression across the socioeconomic spectrum

Why is lower socioeconomic status associated with higher rates of depression? And, is the surplus of depression at lower SES just more of the same type as depression found at higher levels, or is it distinctive? We addressed these questions by examining the relations among SES, amygdala volume, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 2023-04, Vol.120 (16), p.e2222069120-e2222069120
Main Authors: Hao, Yu, Farah, Martha J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Amygdala
Biological Sciences
Brain
Depression - epidemiology
Heterogeneity
Humans
Risk Factors
Social Class
Socioeconomic Factors
Socioeconomics
Synergism
Young Adult
Young adults
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Summary:Why is lower socioeconomic status associated with higher rates of depression? And, is the surplus of depression at lower SES just more of the same type as depression found at higher levels, or is it distinctive? We addressed these questions by examining the relations among SES, amygdala volume, and symptoms of depression in healthy young adults. Amygdala volume, a risk factor for depression, does not synergize with SES in a diathesis-stress relation, nor does it mediate the relation of SES to depression. Rather, SES and amygdala volume are independent, additive risk factors. They are also associated with different depression symptoms and, whereas perceived stress fully mediates the relation of SES to depression, it has no relation to amygdala volume. These findings suggest heterogeneity of depression across the socioeconomic spectrum, with implications for treatment selection as well as for future genetic and brain studies.
ISSN:0027-8424
1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2222069120