Though there is evidence that social standing is related to rates of depression – with those in the middle class more apt to be depressed than those at the top or bottom – the connection is not well-explained.

A recent analysis of nearly 22,000 full-time workers shows that middle managers who are pulled in different directions are more likely to suffer from depression and anxiety.

The data, taken from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related conditions, was broken down by these class categories:

• Self-employed

• Managers and supervisors

• Laborers

Managers and supervisors were found to experience higher rates of depression and anxiety than owners or laborers.

Researchers concluded that class effect on depression and anxiety extends beyond just socioeconomic status, and includes other areas such as stressful domination and exploitation situations that can arise at work.

Citation: Prins S, Bates L, Keyes K, et al. Anxious? Depressed? You might be suffering from capitalism: contradictory class locations and the prevalence of depression and anxiety in the USA. Sociol Health Illn. 2015; August 3, 2015. DOI: 10.1111/1467-9566.12315.