The Poverty and Mental Health Association in Iran

Abstract

T

his study investigates the impact of poverty, which is the direct effect of recent economic changes, on Iranians mental health to shed more light on the poverty and mental health nexus in developing countries. For the purpose of this study, we examine the existence of a possible association between poverty and mental health in urban districts of Iran by applying a double hurdle approach for the period of 2012-2014. We split our sample into 12 age cohorts: 21-25 … 76-80 within 4 major age groups: 21-30, 31-40, 41-60, and 61-80. The results show that there is a negative relationship between poverty and mental health for all gender and age groups. Our analysis indicates that the impact of poverty on female's mental status is greater early in life but males mental health suffer from poverty at mid-life and end of life. We conclude that the economic burdens against Iranians, which has changed their poverty status, have also exacerbated their mental health status.