The study, conducted by Dr Demid Getik, explores how mental health is related to income make-up within couples by examining the link between annual income rises for women and the number of clinical mental health diagnoses over a set period of time.

The study finds that as more women take on the breadwinner role in the household, the number of mental health related incidences also increases.

As wives begin earning more than their husbands, the probability of receiving a mental health diagnosis increases by as much as 8% for all those observed in the study, but by as much as 11% for the men.

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[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 187 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Any chance this correlates with finally being able to afford mental health care?

[–] Sibbo@sopuli.xyz 67 points 2 days ago (1 children)

This guy understands how the world works.

[–] realcaseyrollins@thelemmy.club 14 points 2 days ago

That was a great point. I was assuming it adds stress which exacerbated symptoms of mental health conditions that incentivized the couples to get diagnosed.

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 23 points 2 days ago (3 children)

The study focused on heterosexual Swedish couples of working age who married in 2001 and whose individual incomes measured at just above or just below the equal earnings threshold.

I wouldn't have thought mental health care was inaccessible due to cost in a country like Sweden.

[–] KyuubiNoKitsune@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 1 day ago

It's not free, but it's not expensive either, max of around $250 a year for all healthcare. But mental health care in Sweden is abysmal, if you're lucky they'll give you 12 sessions with a psychologist who is apathetic to your issues and then let you go, because they seem to see it as something that once your sessions are done, should be fixed.

This in a country rife with social isolation, months of dark and cold, hobbies that are too expensive to do and a generally unhealthy society.

[–] neidu3@sh.itjust.works 44 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's not always free in scandinavialand. If you have a referral from a doctor due to a mental illness or the like, it's probably covered. But if you seek therapy out if own initiative you probably have to pay out of pocket.

Source: As a scandinavian I looked into it once, but upon noticing the hourly rate I figured that it would probably cause more mental distress than it would solve.

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

Ah, thanks.

[–] catloaf@lemm.ee 21 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's not just monetary, it's also time, and being willing to admit you have a problem and seek help. Some jobs will fire you if you admit to having substance abuse or mental health problems, like airline pilots. (Or even if they don't outright fire you, it'll still end your career.)

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Fair. I also would have thought, though, that Sweden would have had stronger labor protection laws to protect people who are getting help from retaliatory firing.

[–] KyuubiNoKitsune@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 day ago

It does, and employers are usually very good as supporting their employees with health issues.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 4 points 1 day ago (1 children)

With pilots, it's not Sweden and firing, but EASA and medicals.

After the Germanwings crash, the only reasonable choice was obviously making it so that most mental health issues disqualify you from flying. It does wonders for reporting.

Admitting you need help can end your career, not just lose your current job.

[–] baronvonj@lemmy.world 3 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Oh interesting. That's unfortunate.

[–] HK65@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 day ago

IDK who is downvoting, it really is.