Edinburgh, Scotland (Enmaeya News) — Poverty has a major impact on children’s mental health. It affects parents’ mental health, marital relationships, and parenting practices.

Children from the poorest 20% of households are four times more likely to face serious mental health problems by age 11 than children from the wealthiest 20%.

Stress from poverty raises the risk of adverse childhood experiences. Families may struggle to afford basics like food and heating.

Children may miss out on activities such as sports clubs or school trips, which can hurt their self-esteem and well-being. Those who grow up in poverty are also more likely to have poor health as adults.

Data from the Growing Up in Scotland study shows children from low-income households at age 3 were more than twice as likely to have mental health difficulties by age 6 compared with wealthier peers.

Mothers in these households often reported lower well-being and more conflict in relationships with their children.

Policies that reduce poverty, such as taxation or welfare programs, could improve public mental health. Few studies, however, look at poverty’s effects using causal research. One study in the International Journal of Epidemiology used UK Household Longitudinal Study data to estimate poverty’s effect on mental health.

Poverty increases stress through financial instability, poor housing, and food insecurity. These pressures can lead to anxiety and depression. Policymakers are increasingly aware of poverty stigma’s effects. In Scotland, the Cross-Party Group on Poverty launched an inquiry into the issue.