The Compounded Burden of Poverty on Mental Health for People with Disabilities

Using 2008-2017 National Health Interview Survey data (N = 127,973), we investigated the relationship between income and psychological distress, measured by the Kessler 6 (K6) Scale (range 0-24), net of education, employment, and other sociodemographic characteristics. Regression models allowed the association to differ by disability status and number of disabilities. Lower income predicted higher psychological distress for those with and without disabilities. However, the adverse association was stronger among people with disabilities. Compared to those with incomes at least four times the poverty threshold, poor individuals with disabilities scored 2.81 (95% CI = 2.55,3.67) points higher on the K6 Scale versus 0.58 (95% CI = 0.48,0.69) points higher for those without disabilities. Differences in associations by number of disabilities were not statistically significant. Nonetheless, those with multiple disabilities were still at increased risk of distress because they were disproportionately poor. People with disabilities who are poor are particularly disadvantaged and should be prioritized in outreach efforts.