Therapist Unlimited Blog

A recent research has shown that the economic crisis happening in different parts of the world caused stress to the children.
Based on the research made by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital National Poll on Children’s Health taken in May 2009, 44 percent of families’ financial situations have worsened in the last six months.
The researchers discovered that to make ends meet, many have cut back on extras (65 percent),applied for government health coverage (24 percent), applied for free or reduced lunch programs (27 percent), and delayed taking their children to the doctor (11 percent) or dentist (16 percent).
Matthew Davis, M.D., director of the poll revealed in their research they found out that a family’s financial situation had worsened over the last 6 months and their children were
uninsured, 40 percent of those parents had delayed taking their children to the doctor.
Davis said this situation is a great concern since some of these kids whose care is being delayed may be particularly vulnerable or at risk for serious health problems.

Children are suffering huge amount of stress due to the bad economy in different parts of the world.

He said the poll also showed that 40 percent of parents indicate their children ages 5 - 17 have some or a lot of stress as a result of worries about their family’s finances.
He added 53 percent of parents report their teens, ages 13 - 17, have stress due to the family’s financial situation.
Furthermore, Davis revealed the common symptoms of stress in children include acting out, abdominal pain and headaches.
Davis explained stress from financial worries affected families of lower incomes more than families of higher incomes.
He added families of the lowest income level namely making $30,000 per year or less  were more than twice as likely to report their kids had stress as families of the
highest income group making $100,000 or more per year.
Davis concluded that overall, the findings indicate that this recession is not an equal opportunity recession, explaining that it has affected
families across all income levels and range of vulnerability, but it is affecting those who are most vulnerable even more than the population as a whole.
He said those who do not have insurance, or if your family income is at a lower level, your children are likely to be even at higher risk as this recession drags on.