The impact of economic recessions on depression and individual and social well-being: the case of Spain (2006-2013).
PURPOSE
Although there is abundant evidence about the impact of economic crises on depression and other mental health problems, little is known about the protective role of variables linked to positive functioning (i.e., psychological well-being).


METHODS
We analyzed data from Spain, one of the European countries most affected by the 2008-2013 economic recession, collected in Round 3 (R3, 2006) and Round 6 (R6, 2013) of the European Social Survey interviews. Both surveys included measures of psychological well-being, social well-being and depression. Both samples were nationally representative of the general population (R3: 1877 participants, 49.2% men; R6: 1889 participants, 48.9% men).


RESULTS
Data from the R6 survey showed that, compared to data gathered in R3 (i.e., before the onset of the recession) Spanish citizens showed significantly less life satisfaction (95% CIs 0.37-0.63), less personal optimism (95% CIs 0.03-0.15), less social optimism (95% CIs 0.75-0.85), and higher levels of depressive symptoms (95% CIs - 0.74 to - 0.19). Structural equation modeling revealed that protective factors for depression changed in both rounds. In R3 (2006), close relationships, social optimism and social trust were significant mediators between well-being and depression. However, social optimism and social trust were no longer significant in R6 (2013), whereas close relationships remained a partial mediator of the effects of psychological well-being on depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Economic crises are associated with a significant increase in depressive symptoms. Furthermore, financial crises seem to have a corrosive impact on mental health by reducing the mediating effects of positive beliefs regarding the good nature of society.
['Chaves|C|C|', 'Castellanos|T|T|', 'Abrams|M|M|', 'Vazquez|Carmelo|C|http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1796-2161']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies D003863:Depression D057172:Economic Recession D005060:Europe D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008603:Mental Health D008875:Middle Aged D012919:Social Behavior D013030:Spain D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D035502:Trust D055815:Young Adult
Depression Mental health Economic issues Population survey Social factors Stressful life events