- Author, Elliot’s Ball
- Role, BBC News, South West
Moving house a “significant” number of times before the age of 15 can increase a person’s likelihood of being diagnosed with depression, according to the University of Plymouth.
A study conducted by the university analysed the residential locations of more than one million people born in Denmark between 1981 and 2001.
The results state that children who move once between the ages of 10 and 15 are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who do not move.
If a child moved two or more times between ages 10 and 15, the risk rose to about 61%, they added.
Importance of location
The detailed analysis supported existing evidence by showing that people who live in low-income neighborhoods during childhood are more likely (by a factor of about 10%) to develop depression in adulthood, the study leaders said.
However, it was the first time that moving during childhood, whether between disadvantaged or non-disadvantaged neighborhoods, was also associated with significantly higher rates of depression in adulthood, they added.
This has led the researchers behind the study to suggest that a stable home environment (in terms of location) during childhood may be a form of protection against future mental health problems.
The study was conducted by the University of Plymouth with researchers from Aarhus University and the University of Manchester.
Professor Clive Sabel, from the University of Plymouth, was the lead author of the study.
He said: “We think the numbers we’re seeing could be the tip of the iceberg.
“During these formative years, children build their social networks through school, sports groups or other activities.
“Anytime they have to adapt to something new, it can be disruptive, so we potentially need to find new ways to help people overcome those challenges.”
