A new study has found that when adult children are unemployed, their parents are more likely to experience depressive symptoms.
This research, conducted by the Centre for Demographic Studies at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (CED-UAB) in collaboration with the Centre for Demographic and Aging Research (CEDAR) at Umeå University in Sweden, is one of the first to measure how the job insecurity of younger generations impacts their parents’ well-being.
Unlike previous studies that mainly focused on how parents’ financial or employment situations affect their children, this study looks at the reverse relationship.
The research examined data from 14,566 people aged 50 and older across eight European countries: Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Sweden, Denmark, Poland, and the Czech Republic.
These countries represent different types of welfare systems, including Mediterranean, Continental, Nordic, and Eastern European models.
The study used information from the 2022 Survey of Health, Aging and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which included responses about 12 symptoms related to depression.
The study found that in nearly all countries, parents with unemployed children showed more signs of depression than those whose children were employed.
The only exception was France, where no significant differences were observed.
The strongest effects were seen in Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic, where parents of unemployed children reported depressive symptoms above the clinical threshold for depression.
The study suggests that the impact is more severe in countries with weaker welfare support systems, such as Spain, Italy, Poland, and the Czech Republic. In these countries, unemployment benefits and social support are limited, placing greater financial and emotional burdens on families.
Parents often feel responsible for supporting their unemployed children, which can increase their stress levels and negatively affect their mental health.
The Role of Gender and Education in Spain
In Spain, the study found that mothers with unemployed children were more affected by depressive symptoms than fathers.
This is particularly concerning because many mothers already handle additional household responsibilities, making them more vulnerable to stress and depression. The impact was most pronounced in mothers with lower levels of education.
Parents with higher education levels, on the other hand, did not show a strong link between their children’s unemployment and depression. The researchers suggest that this may be because they have better financial resources and social networks that help them manage the challenges of their children’s job insecurity.
Parents with lower education levels, however, experienced up to a 23% increase in depressive symptoms compared to those with employed children, likely due to greater financial strain.
This study highlights the need to consider intergenerational relationships when studying mental health in older adults. While aging populations face various health challenges, the struggles of younger generations—such as job insecurity—can also have a significant impact on the well-being of their parents.
The researchers emphasize that understanding these connections is crucial, especially in societies with aging populations. As more people enter older adulthood, their emotional and financial dependence on family relationships will become even more relevant.
This research suggests that policies aimed at reducing unemployment and providing better social support for job seekers could also benefit the mental health of older generations.
This study offers important insights into how economic challenges affect not just individuals but entire families. The unemployment of adult children is not just a personal issue—it has far-reaching consequences for the mental health of their parents.
Countries with weaker social safety nets may see even greater impacts, highlighting the need for stronger public policies to support both unemployed individuals and their families.
By recognizing these intergenerational effects, policymakers and healthcare professionals can work toward more comprehensive approaches to improving mental well-being across different age groups.
If you care about depression, please read studies about how dairy foods may influence depression risk, and B vitamins could help prevent depression and anxiety.
For more information about mental health, please see recent studies that ultra-processed foods may make you feel depressed, and extra-virgin olive oil could reduce depression symptoms.
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