BACKGROUND

Mental health issues affect rich and poor, young and old, and are widespread in Asia as well as in Europe. However, few studies have investigated the influence of perceived stress and income on mental health among general population in China and in Germany.

METHODS

We conducted an online survey from December 2021 to February 2022 to investigate how perceived stress and income affect mental health among the general population in China (N = 1123) and in Germany (N = 1018). Accordingly, we used the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) and the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). We ran a multiple linear regression model to investigate the relationship between perceived stress, income, and mental health.

RESULTS

Overall, we found that 53.4% participants reported mental health issues (GHQ-12 score ≥12). The proportion of our sample who reported mental health issues was higher in Germany (60.3%) than in China (44.8%). The regression model revealed that a higher perceived stress score was associated with more mental health issues in both countries ( = 0.60,  < 0.01). Individuals with a low income reported poorer mental health in Germany than those in China. Interestingly, the situation was reversed when incomes were high: individuals with a high income reported worse mental health in China than in Germany ( = -0.40,  < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Perceived stress has a negative impact on mental health, while income has differential effects. Mental health promotion programmes may involve teaching stress management, while considering differences in mental health outcomes in developed and developing countries.