Residential mobility and mental health. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wood, Gavin A.; Clark, William A.V.; Ong ViforJ, Rachel; Smith, Susan J.; Truong, N.T. Khuong
• Is Part Of: SSM - population health. Volume 21(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Ownership -- Tenure -- Mobility -- Mental health -- Wellbeing; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Medical anthropology -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Medicine -- Periodicals; 362.105
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101321
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8273

Abstract

Abstract: We examine the extent to which residential relocation within and between tenure types is associated with changes in mental health. We focus on four types of housing transition – rent-to-own, own-to-rent, own-to-own, and rent-to-rent – using Australian and UK panel data sets from 2001 to 2017. In both countries, transitions into homeownership and moves away from the mortgaged edges toward the unburdened mainstream of outright ownership are positively associated with mental health. On the other hand, shifts by mortgagors towards more precarious positions on the edges of ownership precipitate dips in mental health when there is exposure to high levels of payment and investment risks. Clearly, residential moves can both alleviate and introduce different kinds of risks that affect affordability. Moreover, tenure transitions have impacts on mental health beyond the impacts of payment and investment risks. However, we observe some cross-national differences in findings. In Australia, loss of homeownership has a negative impact on mental health that outweighs the mental health impacts of attaining ownership. In the UK, these findings are reversed. Acute housing affordability problems following moves in Australia, but not in the UK, are a significant driver of mental health outcomes. These differences have institutional explanations. Highlights: The mental health of movers is sensitive to changes in ability to pay, credit constraints, and investment risks. Transitions towards outright ownership are associated with improved mental health. Shifts by mortgagors towards the edges of ownership depress their mental health. The mental health effects of housing transitions are mediated by institutional arrangements.