Mediating role of psychological distress and alcohol use in socioeconomic disparities in deaths of despair: a causal mediation analysis using record linkage data.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Deaths of despair - suicide, drug overdose and chronic liver disease mortality - are major contributors to premature mortality in the USA, disproportionately affecting individuals with low socioeconomic status (SES). The mechanisms underlying these disparities, particularly the roles of psychological distress and alcohol use, remain insufficiently understood. We assessed associations of SES, alcohol use and psychological distress with deaths of despair, along with the mediating roles of alcohol use and psychological distress in the SES-deaths of despair association in men and women.

Methods

We linked US National Health Interview Survey data (1997-2018) to mortality records until 31 December 2019 by following 3 11 508 women and 2 42 463 men for 10.5 years. Using co

SUBMITTER: Lasserre AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12703257 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature