Mediating Role of Adaptive and Maladaptive Coping Mechanisms in the Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Adult Mental Health Outcomes: A Psychological Perspective

Abstract

This paper looks at how adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies relate to socioeconomic status (SES) and mental health in adults. It is found that those from SEM have access to better resources, health care, and social support systems which enables them to use more adaptive coping strategies. On the other hand, low SES individuals tend to use maladaptive coping techniques such as substance abuse and avoidance because of their poor access to mental health services and their financial situation. This research analyzes how financial instability further exacerbates the stress, anxiety, and emotional dysregulation among lower SES groups. The results show the degree of social support that a person receives directly impacts their mental health, and in this case, low social support exacerbates mental ill-health. The study argues that greater efforts are needed to change the socio-economic structures that impose mental health disparity on people who live under SES.