From a recent Australian study it has become apparent that the housing crisis, which is also happening in many other countries in addition to the Netherlands, also has an impact on the mental health of young people. In some cases it can even lead to serious damage.
An increase in specific groups
The researchers analyzed Australian data on housing, income and work and discovered that the number of young adults forced to live at home has increased by 18 percent in 20 years. The increase is particularly striking among specific groups: among people living outside the major cities there is an increase of 46 percent, among the elderly it is 36 percent, women show an increase of 28 percent, and among low-income groups the increase is 10 percent.
Mental consequences
Lead author of the study, Amber Howard, discussed it with Science. According to Howard, the influence of long-term living at home on mental health is complex and depends on individual circumstances. “In general, young adults experience poorer mental health when living at home, although some seem more sensitive to this than others. Older adults aged 30 to 34, women and people in rural and regional areas report the worst mental health when forced to live with their parents.”
But why?
There is an explanation for this. Howard points out the stigma attached to living at home: “It’s considered a personal deficit.” She explains that this stems from the pressure to be independent, which is felt within individualistic societies, even under difficult economic conditions. Living at home is increasingly becoming a necessity rather than a choice. This can affect relationships, a person’s social life, sense of fulfillment, and young adults’ independence.
Varying experiences
Howard emphasizes that not everyone has the same experience living at home. She points out that many young people, especially in expensive, urban areas, benefit from job opportunities, education and social connections by continuing to live with their parents. Some young adults are also staying at home longer due to pre-existing mental health problems.
The actual problem
In essence, according to Howard, living at home is not necessarily a bad thing. However, she is concerned that young people are becoming increasingly dependent on living at home in response to the lack of decent and affordable rental housing. The homes that are available are not affordable for everyone. Therefore, forcing more young people to live at home could not only hinder their ability to get ahead, but also widen the divide between young adults with and without affluent parents.
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2023-12-08 16:53:57
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