Drift hypothesis

Drift hypothesis, concerning the relationship between mental illness and social class, is the argument that illness causes one to have a downward shift in social class.[1] The circumstances of one's social class do not cause the onset of a mental disorder, but rather, an individual's deteriorating mental health occurs first, resulting in low social class attainment.[2] The drift hypothesis is the opposing theory of the social causation thesis, which says being in a lower social class is a contributor to the development of a mental illness.

  1. ^ Hurst, Charles E. (2007). Social Inequality: Forms, Causes, and Consequences (6th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. ISBN 978-0-205-48436-2.
  2. ^ Perry, Melissa J. (1996). "The Relationship between Social Class and Mental Disorder". Journal of Primary Prevention. 14 (1): 17–30. doi:10.1007/BF02262736. PMID 24254919.