Financial difficulties, economic hardship and psychological distress during the economic recession in Portugal

Abstract

Introduction

Portugal is one of the European countries most affected by the Great Economic Recession. Mental health outcomes are likely to deteriorate during this period, with greater proportional impact among those more socially disadvantaged. Self-reported measures of financial difficulties and economic hardship are likely to be associated with psychological distress during this period.

Objectives

To characterize the relationship between psychological distress and self-reported measures of financial difficulties and type of material deprivation during the Economic Recession in Portugal.

Methods

A follow-up epidemiological survey was conducted in 2015, with a probability sub-sample of 911 respondents of the 2008 World Mental Health Survey Initiative Portugal. Psychological distress was evaluated by the Kessler-10 scale. Financial difficulties were assessed by asking the responds if they had enough money for their daily activities. Type of material deprivation considered difficulties in acquiring essential goods, paying debts or buying other goods (clothes or leisure activities). Chi-square analysis were used to evaluate the association between psychological distress, financial difficulties and type of material deprivation.

Results

A statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between psychological distress and financial difficulties was found. Among the respondents that reported not having enough money, 22% reported psychological distress. Regarding the type of material deprivation, a statistically significant association was only found for essential goods.

Conclusions

During the economic crisis, financial difficulties and material deprivation in essential goods were associated with increased levels of psychological distress, potentially widening social and health inequalities across the Portuguese population.

Funding

EEA Grants, Programa Iniciativas em Saúde Pública.

Disclosure of interest

The authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.