Does Relative Deprivation within Schools Influence Adolescent Depression?

Research on relative deprivation (RD) and health has focused primarily on adult populations. Using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study examines the link between RD and adolescent depression and is the first to test the mechanisms that underlie this relationship. This study finds that controlling for school fixed effects, family income, and observed characteristics of students and their families, students with higher RD within schools exhibit more depressive symptoms. This study also considers how RD may influence adolescent depression. Sobel-Goodman mediation tests reveal that a combination of lowered self-esteem and future expectations (especially about educational attainment) explains nearly half of the association between RD and adolescent depression. Results of this study suggest that social inequality and stratification may implicate population health in the next generation through socioeconomic stratification within schools.

Automated summary

This study using the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health found that students with higher relative deprivation within schools exhibit more depressive symptoms, with lowered self-esteem and future expectations explaining nearly half of this association between relative deprivation and adolescent depression. These findings suggest that social inequality and stratification may have implications for population health in the next generation through socioeconomic stratification within schools.