Immigrants’ diminished protective effects of parental education and employment on youth mood disorders in Sweden
Abstract Objectives While high socioeconomic status (SES) indicators generally protect against mental health issues such as mood disorders in overall populations, evidence suggests that these protective effects might be attenuated for marginalized groups such as immigrants, in comparison to groups w...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | BMC Psychiatry |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-025-07264-7 |
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| Summary: | Abstract Objectives While high socioeconomic status (SES) indicators generally protect against mental health issues such as mood disorders in overall populations, evidence suggests that these protective effects might be attenuated for marginalized groups such as immigrants, in comparison to groups who are more socially privileged. This phenomenon is referred to as Marginalization-related Diminished Returns (MDRs). Existing knowledge on diminished returns of SES indicators primarily stems from cross-sectional comparisons of racial groups of adults in the US. Therefore, there is a crucial need to investigate these dynamics using longitudinal data of youth in European countries that are host countries for migrants from many different countries. Aims This study aims to compare the impact of family SES indicators (parental education, parental employment, family income), and family composition on subsequent incidence of mood disorders in youth from immigrant and non-immigrant families. Methods Utilizing a retrospective cohort design, we analyzed data from nationwide registers in Sweden from Jan 1, 2001, to Dec 31, 2020, and included immigrant and non-immigrant children 12–18 years. Independent variables included parental education, parental employment, family income, and family composition. The outcome variable was a mood disorder diagnosis based on the national patient register. Sex and study year served as covariates, while immigration background acted as a moderator. Cox regression models were employed for statistical analysis. Results All SES indicators (higher parental education, parental employment, higher family income), and two-parent family composition were associated with a lower risk of mood disorders. However, the protective effects of parental education and employment were weaker for immigrant youth compared to native-born youth, as documented by statistically significant interaction tests. Conclusions Our findings reveal weaker protective effects of parental education and employment for youth from immigrant families compared to youth from native-born families in Sweden. Prevention of mood disorders among immigrant families in Sweden may require two sets of policy interventions: one that supports education and employment in general and one that supports employed and educated families to harness their available human capital, with particular attention to immigrants from Africa and the Middle East. |
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| ISSN: | 1471-244X |