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Associations between socioeconomic factors and depression in Sri Lanka: The role of gene-environment interplay

Badini, Isabella; Jayaweera, Kaushalya; Pannala, Gayani; Adikari, Anushka; Siribaddana, Sisira; Sumathipala, Athula; McAdams, Tom A.; Harber-Aschan, Lisa; Hotopf, Matthew; Rijsdijk, Fruhling V.; Zavos, Helena M.S.

Authors

Isabella Badini

Kaushalya Jayaweera

Gayani Pannala

Anushka Adikari

Sisira Siribaddana

Athula Sumathipala

Tom A. McAdams

Lisa Harber-Aschan

Matthew Hotopf

Fruhling V. Rijsdijk

Helena M.S. Zavos



Abstract

Background: Low socioeconomic status is a risk factor for depression. The nature and magnitude of associations can differ cross-culturally and is influenced by a range of contextual factors. We examined the aetiology of so-cioeconomic indicators and depression symptoms and investigated whether socioeconomic indicators moderate genetic and environmental influences on depression symptoms in a Sri Lankan population.

Methods: Data were from a population-based sample of twins (N = 2934) and singletons (N = 1035) in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Standard of living, educational attainment, and financial strain were used to index socioeconomic status. Depression symptoms were assessed using the Revised Beck Depression Inventory. Structural equation modelling explored genetic and environmental influences on socioeconomic indicators and depression symptoms and moderation of aetiological influences on depression symptoms by socioeconomic status.

Results: Depression symptoms were associated with lower standard of living, lower educational attainment, and financial strain. Sex differences were evident in the aetiology of standard of living, with a small contribution of genetic influences in females. Educational attainment was moderately heritable in both males and females. Total variance in depression was greater among less socioeconomically advantaged individuals. Modest evidence of moderation of the aetiology of depression by standard of living and education was observed.Limitations: While the sample is representative of individuals living in Colombo District, it may not be repre-sentative of different regions of Sri Lanka.

Conclusions: The aetiology of depression varies across socioeconomic contexts, suggesting a potential mechanism through which socioeconomic disadvantage increases the risk for depression in Sri Lanka. Findings have im-plications for cross-cultural investigations of the role of socioeconomic factors in depression and for identifying targets for social interventions.

Citation

Badini, I., Jayaweera, K., Pannala, G., Adikari, A., Siribaddana, S., Sumathipala, A., …Zavos, H. M. (2023). Associations between socioeconomic factors and depression in Sri Lanka: The role of gene-environment interplay. Journal of Affective Disorders, 340, 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.084

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Jul 14, 2023
Online Publication Date Jul 17, 2023
Publication Date Nov 1, 2023
Deposit Date Nov 7, 2023
Publicly Available Date Jul 18, 2024
Journal Journal of Affective Disorders
Print ISSN 0165-0327
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 340
Pages 1-9
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.084
Keywords Psychiatry and Mental health; Clinical Psychology
Related Public URLs https://kclpure.kcl.ac.uk/portal/en/publications/associations-between-socioeconomic-factors-and-depression-in-sri-
Additional Information This article is maintained by: Elsevier; Article Title: Associations between socioeconomic factors and depression in Sri Lanka: The role of gene-environment interplay; Journal Title: Journal of Affective Disorders; CrossRef DOI link to publisher maintained version: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2023.07.084; Content Type: article; Copyright: © 2023 Published by Elsevier B.V.

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