As anyone who has lived through the hardship of a recession will know, it can affect every single aspect of your life and the lives of those around you.

 

This has been proven in the most alarming way in a new study, which has uncovered the shocking impact of recession on families’ mental health.

 

An analysis of the Growing Up in Ireland study, which looked at the lives of 20,000 children between 2008 and 2011, found that the financial strain of recession has “hugely damaged” the mental health of kids and their parents.

 

One of the most alarming statistics showed that the risk of mothers showing clinical levels of depression had risen by 84% compared with families left unaffected by the recession; the equivalent for fathers under increased financial strain was 61%.

 

 

Interestingly, the research team found that those parents who found themselves under financial strain also adopted a stricter parenting style with less warmth, and this has clearly had an impact on their children.

 

The analysis showed that these changes in the household led to higher anxiety and lower happiness levels in children, while relationships between the kids and their parents were shown to be strained.

 

While experts may claim that the recession is lifting, report author Prof Richard Layte has warned that the long-term impact on young children could be damaging.

 

“Anxious, unhappy children do worse in school, often with long-term consequences for both wealth and health. By investing in children and young people, we will be developing healthier, happier and more productive adults for all our tomorrows – and saving money in the process,” said Prof Layte.

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