Poverty and Mental Disorder: A Study of Anxiety and Depression in Imo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the influence of poverty and gender on anxiety and depressive disorders among adults in Imo State, Nigeria. A total of 837 participants were selected from nine local government areas through stratified random sampling. Participants completed the Poverty Assessment Questionnaire (PAQ), the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y1), and the Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Data were analyzed using Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA). Results indicated significant differences between poor and non-poor individuals in anxiety (F = 75.09, p < .05) and depressive disorders (F = 93.55, p < .05). Gender differences were also significant for anxiety (F = 8.05, p < .05) but not for depression (F = 2.42, p > .05). No significant interaction effects between poverty and gender were observed. The findings highlight the psychological burden of poverty and the need for integrated mental health and socioeconomic interventions within Nigeria’s public health framework.