Climbing the Ladder: Moderators and Mediators of Upward Social Mobility and Mental Health

Abstract

Upward social mobility (USM) is often a pathway to improved life circumstances, including better healthcare access, education, and living conditions, but may carry psychological costs. Recent research has revealed potential detriments of USM to health and well-being, but has not fully explored for whom and under what conditions USM may undermine mental health. To address this gap, we conducted an empirical study to test moderators and mediators of the relationship between USM and mental health among a sample of 331 U.S. adults. Drawing from social class worldview model-revised (SCWM-R) and the status-based identity (SBI) framework, we hypothesized that USM would relate to greater psychological distress, that belonging would mediate the relations between USM and psychological distress, and that internalized classism, interpersonal classism, and social class centrality would moderate the mediation. Although study results supported the first two hypotheses, only interpersonal classism moderated the mediation. Specifically, the indirect effect of USM on psychological distress via belonging was only significant for those who experienced moderate and high levels of interpersonal classism. These findings extend prior work by identifying belonging and interpersonal classism as key psychosocial mechanisms shaping the USM and mental health relationship. Results challenge dominant narratives of USM and point to the need for frameworks that account for identity, belonging, and class-based discrimination.