Income inequality and the prevalence of common mental disorders in Britain

<jats:sec><jats:title>Background</jats:title><jats:p>It has been hypothesised that the association between greater income inequality and increased mortality is mediated by poor psychosocial health.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Aims</jats:title><jats:p>To test the hypothesis that individuals in regions of Britain with the highest income inequality have a higher prevalence of the common mental disorders, after adjusting for individual income.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Method</jats:title><jats:p>Cross-sectional survey of 8191 adults aged 16–75 in private households in England, Wales and Scotland. The prevalence of common mental disorders was assessed using the General Health Questionnaire.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results</jats:title><jats:p>The association between income inequality and prevalence of the common mental disorders varied with individual income level. Among persons with the highest incomes, common mental disorders were more frequent in regions with greater income inequality (as indicated by high Gini coefficient) (adjusted OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.05–1.65; <jats:italic>P</jats:italic>=0.02). The opposite was true for those with the lowest incomes.</jats:p></jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusions</jats:title><jats:p>Income inequality was associated with worse mental health among the most affluent individuals.</jats:p></jats:sec>