As housing costs continue to rise and social safety nets become increasingly strained, a new study reveals the profound impact housing loss—through eviction or foreclosure—can have on children’s mental health.
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, highlights the correlation between a parent’s stress over housing instability and the onset of depression and anxiety in children. Jamie Hanson, an associate professor of psychology at the University of Pittsburgh and the study’s lead author, explains, “We knew that eviction or housing loss affects adults, but we didn’t fully understand its consequences for children in those households.”
The study, which analyzed data from more than 36,000 families, explored how parental anxiety related to housing loss was connected to mental health challenges in children. The findings indicate that parental stress over eviction was associated with increased rates of depression and anxiety disorders in children. “When a caregiver was highly stressed about housing loss, it was linked to a significant rise in depression among children—ranging from 10% to 35%,” Hanson said.
Of particular concern was the impact on younger children, especially those under the age of 9. “Depression in children younger than 8 or 9 is generally rare, but stress about housing instability seemed to lead to a higher incidence of these issues,” Hanson noted.
Interestingly, the study found no significant links between housing-related stress and other mental health conditions, such as ADHD or behavioral problems. “We controlled for several factors and did not observe strong correlations with these issues,” Hanson added.
The research underscores that housing instability increases the likelihood of children internalizing mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, rather than exhibiting outward behavioral problems.
Hanson also pointed out a critical demographic aspect: eviction and foreclosure disproportionately affect minoritized racial and ethnic groups, as well as economically marginalized families. “Our findings emphasize the urgent need for policies and programs that address housing instability and protect children’s mental well-being,” he stated. “We can do more—whether through increased housing assistance or measures such as sealing eviction court records for a period of time.”
The study calls for systemic changes to prevent housing instability from negatively impacting the mental health of children, highlighting the need for stronger protective measures and better support for families facing housing insecurity.
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