A recent study revealed that experiencing multiple moves during childhood, regardless of whether it was within or between deprived or non-deprived neighborhoods, is linked to higher rates of depression in adulthood. The study examined the residential history of nearly 1.1 million individuals born in Denmark between 1981 and 2001 who remained in the country during the first 15 years of their lives. It was found that approximately 35,000 individuals still living in Denmark had been diagnosed with depression later in life.
Individuals who undergo several relocations before the age of 15 are more than 40% likely to be diagnosed with depression in the future, according to a recent study.
Published in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, the research analyzed the residential histories of nearly 1.1 million Danish individuals born between 1981 and 2001 who lived in the country during their first 15 years.
Following these individuals into adulthood, the study found that around 35,000 of them had received a depression diagnosis while still living in Denmark.
The study confirmed previous findings that children growing up in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods have a higher risk, about 10% more, of developing depression as adults.
Moreover, it unveiled that experiencing moves during childhood, be it within or between deprived or non-deprived areas, is also significantly associated with increased rates of depression in adulthood.
Specifically, children who move once between ages 10 to 15 are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression compared to those who do not move. If a child relocates two or more times during the same age span, the risk escalates to approximately 61%, surpassing the impact of growing up in a disadvantaged neighborhood.
Researchers suggest that a stable home environment during childhood, in terms of location, may act as a protective factor against future mental health challenges.
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 lead author of the study and a Professor of Big Data and Spatial Science at the University of Plymouth, stated that moving to a new neighborhood during childhood is among the factors contributing to mental illness. He emphasized the need to address the challenges children face when adapting to new environments.
Estimates suggest that around 13% of the global population is affected by mental health conditions, with the economic burden expected to reach $6 trillion by 2030.
The causes of mental health conditions are multifaceted, involving biological, socioeconomic, and psychological factors, with growing evidence linking individuals’ environments to mental health.
Past studies have shown that children who move frequently from birth to adolescence are at a higher risk of negative outcomes such as suicide attempts, criminal behavior, mental health issues, and substance abuse.
While this study focused on a significant portion of the Danish population, the researchers believe similar results can be expected in other parts of the world.
Professor Sabel highlighted the importance of global policies that support stable childhoods while considering regional and cultural identities. He also mentioned certain groups, like children in care or military families, may require additional support to prevent mental illness in the future.
