Moving house increases risk of depression - study

Moving house multiple times before the age of 15 can significantly increase the risk of developing depression, say University of Plymouth

Moving house a "significant" number of times before the age of 15 can increase a person's likelihood to be diagnosed with depression, according to the University of Plymouth.

A study conducted by the university analysed the residential locations of more than a million people born in Denmark between 1981 and 2001.

The findings claim children who move once between ages 10 to 15 are 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who do not move.

If a child moved twice or more between the ages of 10 and 15, the risk rose to about 61%, they added.

Location importance

The detailed analysis supported existing evidence by showing that individuals who live in income-deprived neighbourhoods during childhood are more likely – by a factor of around 10% - to develop depression in adulthood, study leaders said.

However, it was the first time that moving during childhood – whether between or within deprived or non-deprived neighbourhoods – is also associated with significantly higher rates of depression in adulthood, they added.

It has led researchers behind the study to suggest a settled home environment – in terms of location – during childhood may be one way of protecting against future mental health issues.

The University of Plymouth carried out the study with researchers from Aarhus University and the University of Manchester.

Professor Clive Sabel, at the University of Plymouth, was the study’s lead author.

He said: "We believe the numbers we are seeing could be the tip of the iceberg.

"During those formative years, children are building their social networks through school, sports groups or other activities.

"Each time 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."