Moving homes frequently during childhood can significantly increase the risk of developing depression later in life, a new study reveals.
Children who experience numerous moves before age 15 are over 40% more likely to be diagnosed with depression as adults.
This research, published in JAMA Psychiatry, analyzed the residential history of nearly 1.1 million people born in Denmark between 1981 and 2001.
The study tracked these individuals into adulthood and found that more than 35,000 of them had been diagnosed with depression.
The study also confirmed previous findings that growing up in income-deprived neighborhoods increases the risk of developing depression in adulthood by about 10%.
However, this research was the first to show that moving during childhood, regardless of the neighborhood type, is strongly associated with higher depression rates in later life.
Children who moved once between the ages of 10 and 15 were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to those who did not move. If a child moved twice or more during the same period, the risk increased to about 61%. This impact is even greater than the effect of living in a deprived neighborhood.
The researchers suggest that maintaining a stable home environment during childhood could be crucial in protecting against future mental health issues. The study was conducted by researchers from Aarhus University (Denmark), the University of Plymouth (UK), and the University of Manchester (UK).
Professor Clive Sabel, the study’s lead author and a professor at the University of Plymouth, emphasized the significance of these findings. “We know many factors contribute to mental illness, but this is the first evidence that moving to a new neighborhood during childhood is one of them. The numbers we see could be just the beginning.”
He explained that during formative years, children build their social networks through school, sports, and other activities. Each move disrupts these connections, making adaptation challenging. “We need to find new ways to help children overcome these disruptions,” Sabel said.
Globally, an estimated 13% of people live with some form of mental health condition, with the economic burden expected to reach $6 trillion by 2030. The causes of mental health issues are complex, involving biological, socioeconomic, and psychological factors. However, there’s growing evidence that our environments also play a significant role.
Previous studies have found that frequent moves from birth to mid-teens are linked to adverse outcomes, including attempted suicide, violent behavior, mental illness, and substance abuse. While this study focused on Denmark, the researchers believe similar outcomes would be found worldwide.
Professor Sabel highlighted the importance of policies that support stable childhoods while considering regional and cultural differences. He also noted that specific groups of children, such as those in foster care or military families, may face higher risks due to frequent moves. “These children might need extra support to prevent the development of mental illness in later life,” he concluded.
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