Inequality in the Experience of Stressful Psychological Events: Evidence from a Regional Survey in Tehran

Socioeconomic status is one of the most important social determinants of the formation of stressful events. The purpose of this study was to estimate the amount of inequality in experiencing stressful events among higher and lower socio-economic groups and zones of Tehran citizens.  

The study was descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional. Through a multistage sampling method, 5895 adult residents in Tehran were selected. The research tool was a researcher-made questionnaire designed to measure stressful events in Tehran, which includes 11 dimensions of stressful factors. Concentration index and concentration curves were used to analyze the data.   

Among the 11 stressful life events, 6 of them were significant. Stress by the neighborhood problems (CI = -0.47, 95% CI: -0.66, -0.28) and living problems (CI = -0.50, 95% CI: -0.68, -0.32) was pro-rich, and these two dimensions formed the greatest inequality between the poor and the rich. The other 3 dimensions of stress caused by housing problems, political problems and fear of the future were also pro-rich. Only educational problem stressors were pro-poor. Stressful life event experience was concentrated on residents of low-development areas (zones 1 and 2).  

Residents of Tehran experience stressful events unequally, and this inequality exists both within and between social groups. Most stressful events were observed among the poor and less developed zones.