Analysis of Socio-economic Factors Influencing on Mental Health in Iran

Studies show that in recent years, mental disorders have increased in various communities. Because of continuity of social sciences, study of combined socioeconomic factors can lead to important policy recommendations. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of socioeconomic factors on mental health of Iranian people. This analytical descriptive study was performed using data from 30 provinces of Iran from 2007 to 2011 and the effect of social and economic incentives on mental health of Iranian people was evaluated. All data were obtained from Statistical Center of Iran. In this study, the suicide rate was used as an indicator (proxy) of mental health. Generalized panel with fixed effects and taking into consideration the heteroscedasticity was used to estimate coefficients. Coefficients for Iranian men and women are estimated and results are as follow: Enrolment rate 0.019 and -0.092, urbanization rate -0.34 and 0.11, unemployment rate 0.048 and 0.025, income inequality rate -0.37 and -0.06, crime rate 0.081 and 0.067 and inflation rate 0.074 and 0.022. All variables e men’s enrolment rate had significant relationship with suicide rates (P<0.01). Unemployment, crime and inflation rates and income inequality had significantly equal effect on suicide rate of men and women. The first three factors have negative and the fourth has positive effect and other factors (urbanization, divorce and enrolment rates) have distinguished effects.