ReviewSSM - population health2026
A systematic review examining the relationship between debt and the mental health outcomes of anxiety, depression and suicidality within the United States.
Review in SSM - population health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
7 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Personal debt in the United States has reached historic highs, raising growing concern about its impact on mental health. While prior reviews have examined debt and mental health, less is known about how specific debt types relate to distinct psychological outcomes within the U.S. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, we systematically searched PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science for English-language, peer-reviewed articles published between 1980 and 2024. Eligible studies used quantitative methods, included adult U.S. populations, and reported statistical associations between personal debt and anxiety, depression, or suicidality. This review is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024594465). Results: Thirty nine studies met inclusion criteria, covering debt types such as student loans, unsecured debt, mortgage debt, and bankruptcy. Debt was consistently linked to higher symptoms of anxiety, depression, and suicidality. Mechanisms included financial strain, debt collection pressure, and diminished sense of control. Under certain conditions, some secured debt (e.g., mortgages) appeared protective. Conclusions: Debt operates as a psychosocial stressor with significant mental health consequences. Findings highlight the importance of standardized measurement, longitudinal research, and integrated financial-mental health interventions. Structural reforms and targeted supports are needed to reduce the psychological burden of personal debt.
Identifiers
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.