Impact of Universal Credit on Children's Mental Health
Author Information
Author(s): Huihui Song, Anwen Zhang, Benjamin Barr, Sophie Wickham
Primary Institution: University of Liverpool
Hypothesis
What are the effects of Universal Credit on the mental health of young children in low-income families?
Conclusion
The introduction of Universal Credit has increased mental health problems among children, especially in larger families and those aged 8.
Supporting Evidence
- The prevalence of mental health problems among eligible children increased by an odds ratio of 2.18 after Universal Credit was introduced.
- Children in larger families were more affected by the mental health impacts of Universal Credit.
- Children aged 8 showed a significant increase in mental health difficulties after the introduction of Universal Credit.
Takeaway
When families get Universal Credit, kids can feel more sad or worried, especially if they have more siblings or are a bit older.
Methodology
The study used data from Understanding Society, comparing children eligible for Universal Credit with those who were not, assessing mental health through the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the small sample size and the possibility that some in the comparison group may have been eligible for Universal Credit.
Limitations
The intervention group had a small sample size, and the study faced challenges with missing data and the accuracy of reported unemployment.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 5 or 8 years from low-income families in Great Britain.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.02
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.14 to 4.18
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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