Distinguishing independent and shared effects of material/structural conditions and psychosocial resources on educational inequalities in self-rated health: results from structural equation modelling

The aim of this study was to distinguish independent and shared effects material/structural factors psychosocial resources in explaining educational inequalities self-rated health (SRH) by using structural equation modelling. Cross-sectional survey. Data were derived from a questionnaire sent random sample the population five counties Sweden 2008. (aged 25–75 years) included 15,099 men 17,883 women. Exploratory modelling used analyse pathways level SRH. pathway including both (e.g. financial buffer unemployment) sense coherence social participation) explained about 40% differences SRH for only (14% 20% women) or (9% 18%, respectively) substantial but smaller proportions differences. major resources. Therefore, reduce SRH, interventions need address conditions across groups.