Financial problems threaten mental health. A longitudinal study (In Dutch)

The aim of the present Dutch population-based longitudinal study (N=4770) is to examine the extent to which 1.) financial problems increase the risk for anxiety and depression (AD) symptomatology, 2.) financial problems hinder the “normal” recovery of AD, and 3.) ongoing financial problems are associated with persistent AD during one year. Logistic regression analyses revealed that financial problems increased the onset of moderate-severe AD and severe AD compared to those without problems, and hindered the recovery of AD compared to those who no longer suffered from these problems, while controlling for demographics, lack of support, traumatic and stressful events, and AD levels at baseline. Generalized stimating equations (GEE) analyses showed that ongoing financial problems are associated with higher levels of persistent AD, but without a time and financial problems interaction effect.