The economic downturn and financial stress affects parent-child bonding.

The stress of the economic downturn is everywhere. In fact, according to the New Research Center, a majority of Americans rate their current financial situation as poor or fair, and nearly half of Americans say they have encountered financial problems in the past year. 

University of Missouri researcher - Dr. Gustavo Carlo – has studied how parents’ financial problems and resulting mental distress affect their relationships with their children. He found that parents who experience financial problems and depression are less likely to feel connected to their children. Additionally, their children are less likely to engage in prosocial behaviors, such as volunteering or helping others.

“The study serves as a reminder that children’s behaviors are affected by issues beyond their immediate surroundings,” said Dr. Carlo, “Families’ economic situations are affected by broader factors in our society, and those financial problems can lead to depression that hurts parent-child relationships.”

Middle and Upper-Middle Class Families Affected 

Unlike previous research that has focused on high-risk and low-income families, Carlo and his colleagues studied middle- to upper-middle-class families. Parents and children answered questions about economic stress, depression and connectedness between parents and children.

“Even middle-class families are having financial difficulties, and it’s affecting their ability to be effective parents,” Carlo said. “When parents are depressed, it affects their relationships with their kids.”

It is important to be aware of how financial stressors can impact the emotional well being of an entire family. Communication between family members and respectful dialogue can help to diffuse tension. One must always be vigilant of taking out frustrations on others – friends, family members and especially our children.

You Are Not Alone

Dr. Carlo suggests, when possible, that depressed parents seek treatment from a mental health professional. Parents also can seek help from their spouses, families, friends, churches and other community agencies. He recommends parents balance efforts to help themselves with spending quality time with their children.

“Raising kids is tough as it is,” Carlo said. “When you have the added layers of financial difficulty and depression, it makes raising children even more challenging.”

An understanding of the ripple-effect stress throughout the family and children is the first part of making things better. Talking about feelings and explaining frustrations goes a long way to maintaining family cohesion and unity.

Take the time to be with family.

Give yourself the time to just be. 

Bring yourself back into the present moment when you feel stress trying to get the best of you. Present moment awareness is truly healing.

Trust in your ability to overcome adversity. Your own history shows you have done so in the past. You will do so again. And know that you are not alone. Many feel the same way. 

Most importantly, never doubt how truly powerful you are.

December 15, 2011
The Healthy Mind Network 

Story Source:
The above story contains original content and information that is editorially adapted by The Healthy Mind staff from materials provided by the University of Chicago Press Journals and EurekAlerts.

 ____________________

 NOTE: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our TERMS AND CONDITIONS