Financial difficulties and psychosis risk in British undergraduate students: a longitudinal analysis
| Pages | 61-68 |
| Published date | 18 June 2018 |
| Date | 18 June 2018 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JPMH-12-2016-0056 |
| Author | Thomas Richardson,Mma Yeebo,Megan Jansen,Peter Elliott,Ron Roberts |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Mental health,Public mental health |
Financial difficulties and psychosis
risk in British undergraduate students:
a longitudinal analysis
Thomas Richardson, Mma Yeebo, Megan Jansen, Peter Elliott and Ron Roberts
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to examine whether financial variables impact psychosis risk over
time in students.
Design/methodology/approach –In total, 408 first-year British undergraduate students completed
measures assessing psychosis risk and finances at three time points.
Findings –Greater financial difficulties increased psychosis risk cross sectionally both in terms of symptoms
and distress. Other financial variables such as student loan amount were not significant. In longitudinal
analysis financial difficulties increase psychotic symptoms and distress over time, but there was no impact of
psychotic symptoms on later financial difficulties.
Research limitations/implications –The study used a relatively small and heavily female sample.
Future research is needed to confirm the findings.
Practical implications –Whilst amount of debt does not appear to impact psychotic symptoms in
students, greater financial difficulties appear to increase the risk of psychosis over time. Professionals working
with students should be aware of this potential link.
Originality/value –This is the first time a long itudinal study has exam ined the effect of fina nces on
psychosis symptoms.
Keywords Student, Psychosis, Debt, Financial, Psychotic
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Psychosis is a significant public health issue, costing £11.8 billion a year to the UK economy
(Schizophrenia Commission, 2012). Incidence rates for schizophrenia peak between the ages
of 20-24 for men and 25-29 for women (Kirkbride et al., 2006) with prevalenc e estimates in the
UK ranging from 32 to 50 per 100,000 in rural areas (Cheng et al., 2011) to 74 per 100,000 in
South London (Kirkbride et al., 2012). Epidemiological research has shown a number of risk
factors implicated in the onset of psychosis. These include urbanity (Krabbendam and Van Os,
2005), gender (Kirkbride et al.,2006),ethnicity(Pintoet al., 2008) and low socio-economic
status (SES) (Harrison et al., 2001; Werner et al., 2007). Studies have shown that those with the
lowest SES have eigh t times the relative risk of de veloping schizophrenia, c ompared to those in
the highest social class (Holzer et al., 1986). Birth st udies and longitudinal resea rch have found
that individuals with schizophrenia are more likely to reside in areas with higher social
deprivation and occupy positions of lower SES (Holzer et al., 1986; Harrison et al., 2001;
Werner et al., 2007).
A recent meta-analysis by Richardson et al. (2013) found that a significant relationship between
mental health and debt existed. However, it also elucidated that only two previous studies
( Jenkins et al., 2008, 2009) had been conducted examining the relationship between debt and
psychosis, both of which were cross-sectional in nature limiting the ability to ascertain the
temporality of the relationship.
Received 16 December 2016
Revised 26 January 2018
Accepted 26 January 2018
The authors would like to thank all
those who helped with recruitment
for the study. This work was
funded by Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology funding through the
UK National Health Service and
Research Capability Funding from
the UK National Institute for Health
Research.
Conflict of Interest: Thomas
Richardson has received
consultancy fees to advise a
company about financial difficulties
and mental health problems. The
other authors have no conflicts of
interest to declare.
Thomas Richardson is a
Principal Clinical Psychologist
at Mental Health Recovery
Team North, Solent NHS Trust,
Portsmouth, UK; and
School of Psychology,
University of Southampton,
Southampton, UK.
Mma Yeebo is an Assistant
Psychologist at Mental Health
Recovery Team North, Solent
NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK.
Megan Jansen is an Assistant
Psychologist at Mental Health
Recovery Team North, Solent
NHS Trust, Portsmouth, UK;
and School of Psychology,
University of Southampton,
Southampton, UK.
Peter Elliott is based at
School of Psychology,
University of Southampton,
Southampton, UK.
Ron Roberts is based at
Department of Psychology,
Kingston University,
Kingston, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JPMH-12-2016-0056 VOL. 17 NO. 2 2018, pp. 61-68, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1746-5729
j
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC MENTALHEALTH
j
PAG E 61
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