10 September 2009
New research points to links between subjective family status and health
How people view the socio-economic status of their family can have profound implications for their well-being and health, according to new research carried out in Scotland and Spain.
Dr Fabio Sani, a social psychologist from the University of Dundee, in collaboration with Prof. Marina Herrera from the University of Valencia and Mhairi Bowe, also at Dundee University, carried out a survey asking people to consider “how does my own family stand relative to other families in terms of socio-economic status?”
The main findings of the research, which was presented at the British Science Festival on Thursday, September 10th, are that:
People who perceive their family to have high status report fewer depressive symptoms, less loneliness, less pain (especially less back and neck pain), and greater happiness and satisfaction with life.
The effects of perceived family status on health are larger than the effects of people’s real professional status and people’s health behaviour (e.g., cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, physical exercise).
But why should people’s perception of their family status affect health? The data collected by Dr Sani and his colleagues suggest that higher perceived family status leads to greater family identification and this in turn enhances people's sense that the family can provide social support when necessary.
This arguably helps people cope psychologically with stressful situations, thereby enhancing health and psychological wellbeing.
Dr Sani explained, “People tend to compare their own families with others in terms of prestige and social status. Perceiving one’s own family as having low status may loosen the psychological investment in the family and the sense of solidarity with other family members, making more difficult to cope with life stressor and paving the way to illness.
“In percentage terms, the people at the top of the ladder were 48% more satisfied with their life than those at the bottom”
The team interviewed 612 people in Scotland and Spain, and asked them to rate their family’s socio-economic status on a 10-rung ladder representing the social hierarchy.
Using standardised measures, the researchers then asked participants about their health (specifically depressive symptoms and specific forms of pain) and about their happiness and satisfaction with life. The findings will act as an exploratory path survey for further research involving collaborators in Italy.
“Our research unveils one of the various ways in which social hierarchies get ‘under the skin’ and produce health inequalities,” continued Dr Sani. Clearly, it points to the necessity of reducing income inequalities.
“Also, it points to the necessity of implementing policies that help members of low status families investing psychologically in the family group and maintaining solidarity with family members.”
The British Science Festival is one of Europe's largest science festivals, taking place each September. The Festival, which is held at a different location each year, features the latest development in science, technology and engineering.
This year’s Festival is being held in Guildford, and Dr Sani is one of several academics presenting at the Psychology Section Presidential Symposium. The theme of this year’s Symposium is “The Social Cure”.
In addition to Dr Sani’s work, the event features four presentations from academics from universities in Exeter, Surry and Lancaster on a range of subjects.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
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