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Although the causes of mental health disorders are complex to detect, growing up in an unchanged social environment would play a determining role, according to a study. Children who have not moved or moved very little would have a lower risk of depression in adulthood.
A studypublished in the journal JAMA Psychiatry, reveals that frequent moves during childhood are associated with significantly higher rates of depression in adulthood. This finding highlights the importance of the social environments in which children grow up and their impact on long-term mental health.
The Danish and British researchers behind the study analyzed data from about 1.1 million people born between 1982 and 2003 who had resided in Denmark for at least 15 years. Of these individuals, 35,098 were diagnosed with depression, with a higher prevalence among women (67.6%).
Following this panel into adulthood, the researchers found that children who moved once between the ages of 10 and 15 were 41 percent more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who did not move. That risk rose to 61 percent for those who changed homes two or more times during those five years.
Multiple moves at this age would have a greater impact on mental health”than growing up in a deprived neighborhood“, scientists say in a statement.
“We know that there are a number of factors that lead to a diagnosis of mental illness. However, this is the first evidence to suggest that moving to a new neighbourhood during childhood is one of them, and we think the numbers we are seeing could be the tip of the iceberg. During these formative years, children are building their social networks through school, sports groups or other activities. Any time they have to adapt to something new it can be disruptive, so we potentially need to find new ways to help people overcome these challenges.” explains Clive Sabel, professor and lead author of the study.