Paths of adversity linking adolescent socioeconomic conditions to adult functional somatic symptoms

• Background: While research examining the health impact of early socioeconomic conditions suggests that effects may exist independently of or jointly with adult socioeconomic position, studies exploring other pathways are few. Following a chain of risk life course model, this study examine if the socioeconomic conditions of the family contributes to an adverse social and material environment across life ultimately affecting functional somatic symptoms in adulthood.Methods: Mediation was examined using path analysis on prospective data from a sample of 987 individuals residing in Luleå, Sweden in 1981 and who answered surveys at age 16, 21, 30 and 42. Early socioeconomic conditions was assessed at age 16 by using the parents occupation. The participant’s own occupation was measured at age 21 and 30. At age 21 and 30, social adversity comprised of items pertaining to stressful life events, while material adversity included items of unfavorable economic conditions. Functional somatic symptoms was examined at age 42 as a summary of self-reported physical symptoms, palpitation and sleeping difficulties occurring during the last 12 months.Results: The results suggested that the association between socioeconomic conditions at age 16 and functional somatic symptoms at age 42 (r = .068) could be explained by two plausible pathways. Through own class at age 21 and then through material (B = .064, 95% CI = .004 – .123) and social adversity (B = .067, 95% CI = .019 – .114) at age 30.Conclusions: Growing up in an unfavorable socioeconomic setting might be a source for later adversities, and these might largely explain the effects of early disadvantage on later health. Thus, improved social and financial living conditions for people from poor backgrounds could avert adult stress-related health problems.Key messages:Chains of life events may be central to understand socioeconomic health effectsBreaking life course chains might avert adult health effects of early disadvantage

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Folkhälsovetenskap, global hälsa, socialmedicin och epidemiologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Public Health, Global Health, Social Medicine and Epidemiology (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

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art (subject category)