Economic recessions can affect children's mental health

Research linking economic conditions and health often does not consider children's mental health issues. In a new The health economics study, investigators found that the mental health of American children deteriorated with the weakening of the economy. The use of special education services for emotional issues also increased when economic conditions deteriorated.

The study, based on data from the 2001-2013 National Health Survey, found that the effects of economic conditions on children's mental health were comparable whether or not investigators measured economic conditions through the unemployment rate or housing price indexes. In addition, effects were observed by bad and age (4-11 years and 12-17 years).

"In addition to providing new information on the determinants of children's mental health, our findings have implications for policy responses to poor economic conditions.We confirm that the consequences of a bad economy extend to labor market actors, "wrote the authors. "These effects on children's mental health suggest that government action to alleviate economic hardship may have greater effects than anticipated.Interventions such as extending unemployment benefits to alleviate the loss of income, for example, could have negative effects on children's health. "

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