Examining Links Between Eviction Stress and Child Mental Health Issues

Abstract

AbstractImportanceEviction is a pressing public health concern that disproportionately impacts disadvantaged families. Understanding how caregivers’ stress about eviction relates to specific childhood psychiatric issues across development is important.ObjectiveTo examine associations between eviction stress and caregiver-reported child depression, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and behavioral problems, adjusting for sociodemographic factors.DesignCross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative survey.SettingUnited States.ParticipantsOver 36,000 caregivers and children from a national survey.Main Outcomes and MeasuresCaregiver-reported child depression, anxiety, ADHD, and behavioral problems. Generalized linear mixed models were used to test associations with eviction stress.ResultsEviction stress was associated with 12-35% increased odds of depression and anxiety. Relationships were moderated by age, with stronger associations for younger children. No significant relationships emerged between eviction stress and ADHD or behavioral problems after adjustment.Conclusions and RelevanceThis study provides new insights into how eviction-related stress differentially impacts internalizing versus externalizing psychopathology across child development. Prospective longitudinal research is still needed to fully understand these complex relationships over time. Findings underscore the importance of policies and interventions to address housing instability and its mental health consequences for children.Key PointsEviction is a major public health concern that disproportionately impacts disadvantaged families.This nationally representative study examined associations between caregiver eviction stress and specific childhood mental health outcomes.Eviction stress was associated with 12-35% increased odds of child depression and anxiety, with stronger relationships for younger children.No significant relationships emerged between eviction stress and child attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder or behavioral problems after adjusting for sociodemographic factors.These findings provide new insights into how eviction-related stress differentially impacts internalizing versus externalizing psychopathology across child development.Prospective longitudinal research is needed to further understand these complex relationships over time.The results underscore the importance of policies and interventions to address housing instability and its mental health consequences for children.