Question

People who live in poverty are at increased risk of mental illness compared to their economically stable peers. Their lives are stressful. They are both witness to and victims of more violence and trauma than those who are reasonably well-off, and they are at high risk of poor general health and malnutrition. The converse is also true: When people are mentally ill, they are at increased risk of becoming and/or staying poor. They have higher health costs, difficulty getting and retaining jobs, are less productive at work, and suffer the social stigma and isolation of mental illness.

– “Poverty and Mental Health: Can the 2-Way Connection Be Broken?”

Esther Entin

Which statement best summarizes this passage?

Poverty increases the risk for mental illness.
Poverty and mental illness are not interconnected.
Poverty and mental illness lead to malnutrition.
Poverty increases exposure to violence and trauma.

Answer 1

Poverty increases the risk for mental illness.

This choice best captures the main point—that living in poverty raises the likelihood of mental illness (and the passage also notes the reverse relationship).