Mental health benefits of education vary between rich and poor countries
Economists analyzed data from more than 120,000 people across 121 countries—including 42 high-income countries and 79 low- and middle-income countries—using the 2021 Lloyd's Register Foundation World Risk Poll.
A study examining mental health impacts across 121 countries found that higher education levels were associated with better mental health in low- and middle-income nations, but not significantly in wealthy countries. Researchers analyzed data from over 120,000 individuals, noting that in poorer regions, education may improve mental health by facilitating access to essential resources such as financial security, food, clean water, and medical care.
In contrast, in high-income countries, mental health issues were more evenly spread across education levels, rendering the link between education and mental health less pronounced. The study, published in the Journal of Social Policy, suggests that education acts as a pathway to other protective factors rather than directly improving mental health.
Co-author Dr. Christopher Lalley emphasized that better mental health is influenced by a range of social and economic factors, not just educational attainment. Dr. Yousef Makhlouf added that these findings are crucial for local governments, as many of these protective factors extend beyond the health care system and into areas like housing, employment, and community services.
The research underscores the need for policymakers to address broader social and economic conditions to effectively tackle mental health inequalities.
Written by urgent.news from Medical Xpress's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
