Social Causation and Social Selection

Abstract

Abstract An extensive literature has shown that disadvantaged levels of socioeconomic status are associated with mental illness. Yet an important question continues to stimulate research: What is the direction of the relationship between socioeconomic status and mental illness? This question is addressed by two competing hypotheses. The social causation hypothesis asserts that experiencing economic hardship increases the risk of subsequent mental illness. The selection/drift hypothesis posits that mental illness can inhibit socioeconomic attainment and lead people to drift into the lower social class or never escape poverty. Research suggests there is a reciprocal relationship between socioeconomic status and mental health, although social causation has more evidence. Furthermore, longitudinal studies have demonstrated that the strength and direction of the relationship can vary by the type of mental illness and socioeconomic indicator. Overall, both social causation and selection/drift are important in advancing our understanding of the influence of social inequality on people's lives.

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