Perceived socioeconomic status and health: A longitudinal biomarker approach

People who say that they are better off socioeconomically are healthier than those who say that they are worse off, even when only comparing people whose objective socioeconomic status is the same, an association that has intrigued social scientists for various reasons.

Dr Präg will present the findings of a joint paper with Lindsay Richards (University of Oxford) and Asri Maharani (University of Manchester). The study takes a step back to re-examine the perceived socioeconomic status-health association in the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA).

Using hybrid, within-between panel regression models and allostatic load as biomarker health outcome, we show that perceived socioeconomic status is only associated with health in comparisons across individuals, in within-specifications where participants serve as their own controls, no association can be found. In a further step, the analysis shows how the between-participant association is driven by personality traits and childhood experiences.

This event will be particularly useful for those interested in quantitative social science, social stratification and health.

Related links

• QSS seminar series
• Quantitative Social Science
• Social Research Institute