Do Unemployment and Comorbidities Affect the Mental Disorders Prevalence? An Econometric Panel Data Approach for Middle-Income Countries

Objective: Many social, economic, and demographic factors that affect the general health status also affect the mental health. The aim of the study is to estimate the effects of comorbidity and unemployment on mental disorders prevalence from the county's perspective. Methods: In the analysis, the effects of comorbidity and unemployment on mental disorders prevalence were investigated using a panel regression model. Static panel regression analysis was used for 23 middle-income countries for the period from 1990 to 2017 years. Results: First, the coefficient of unemployment is positive and statistically significant at 1% level. Second, the coefficient of the comorbidity, which is an explanatory variable in the model, is positive and statistically significant at the level of 1%. These findings indicate that both increase in unemployment and comorbidity positively affect mental disorders prevalence in the 23 middle-income countries between 1990 and 2017. Conclusion: Reducing the effects of comorbidity and implementing the strategies to cope with unemployment may play a key role in reducing the prevalence of mental disorders. It is important to consider mental health, which is one of the important health issues of societies, from a broad perspective and action plans on individual and social determinants. At this point, joint studies of different disciplines at the national and international levels are required. Keywords: Mental health, health economics, panel data, random effects, prevalence