to people in low socioeconomic statuses tend to have higher rates of mental disorders?

Question

for my psych class, I cant find it in my textbook or notes.

Answer 1

Generally people with less money have poorer lifestyles than well-off folks. The poor lifestyles (uneducated parenting, living without food or in an unsafe neighborhood, etc.) contribute to mental disorders. A child who cannot control his/her life circumstances is going to develop protective mechanisms in order to cope with the chaos. These protective mechanisms turn into full-blown disorders, especially if the potential for a disorder was already there. The tremendous amount of stress can actually change a person's biology (hormones, brain structure, etc.). This has been proven!

Answer 2

Heh... it seems that way. They definitely have higher rates of obvious mental disorders, the type that actually interfere with everyday interactions. As those disorders would prevent one from getting a high-paying job, it makes sense.

Answer 3

No, because mental disorders are something you are born with. However, I would say that people with little disposable income are less likely to spend what they have on treatment, so it may be more obvious in them.