What is the evidence that differences in 'control over destiny' lead to socioeconomic inequalities in health? A theory-led systematic review of high-quality longitudinal studies on pathways in the living environment

Orton, Lois Catherine, Pennington, Andy ORCID: 0000-0002-3455-8825, Nayak, Shilpa, Sowden, Amanda, Petticrew, Mark, White, Martin and Whitehead, Margaret ORCID: 0000-0001-5614-6576 (2019) What is the evidence that differences in 'control over destiny' lead to socioeconomic inequalities in health? A theory-led systematic review of high-quality longitudinal studies on pathways in the living environment. JOURNAL OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND COMMUNITY HEALTH, 73 (10). pp. 929-934.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-212565

Abstract

<h4>Background</h4>Low control and high demand in the places where people work has been shown to partially explain why those in lower socioeconomic positions experience poorer health than their counterparts in higher socioeconomic positions. It would seem likely then that experiences of control in the wider living environment, beyond people's places of work, might also play a role in shaping these health inequalities. Our recent review of theory revealed potential pathways by which low control in the living environment might explain the social patterning of health via low control beliefs and low actual control.<h4>Methods</h4>Based on the potential pathways identified in our review of theory, we conducted a systematic review of longitudinal studies on the relationship between low control in the living environment and social inequalities in health published by January 2019, in English.<h4>Results</h4>Six studies were included in the review. Taken together, they provide evidence that lower social positions are associated with lower control beliefs and poorer health outcomes, in terms of heart disease, anxiety, depression and self-rated health, and that some of the association between low social position and health outcomes is explained by low control beliefs. No studies investigated the pathway from low actual control to poorer health in more disadvantaged groups.<h4>Conclusion</h4>There is strong evidence from a small number of high-quality longitudinal studies that low perceived control in the living environment may play an important role in the pathways leading from low social position to poorer health and well-being. Further studies are needed to distinguish between the effects of having low control beliefs and having actual low control.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	control over destiny, socioeconomic status, inequalities, social determinants, health, systematic review
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	07 Aug 2019 10:43
Last Modified:	19 Jan 2023 00:36
DOI:	10.1136/jech-2019-212565
Open Access URL:	http://doi.org/10.1136/jech-2019-212565
Related URLs:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3051189