Part 1: The consequences of the economic crisis on the mental health of children and adolescents in Greece
by Dr Christos Terniotis MD, MSc, Child & Adolescent Psychiatrist, Systemic & Family Psychotherapist
2017 marks the 7th year of the ongoing economic crisis in Greece, the worst one the country has known since 1974, when democracy was reinstated. The adult population and especially those who also have a parenting role have to face various psychosocial challenges, which can have a detrimental impact on their well-being. Depression, anxiety and behavioural disturbances seem to be on the rise.
One might wonder: does the financial crisis have an effect on children and adolescents as well? The short answer is it does. Minors are integral parts of the family structure and society, and are not ‘exempt’ from the consequences of the current situation just because they are too young, or because of parental protection.
Children and adolescents may react to stressful situations in different ways depending on their age. In general, when looking at the children’s reactions to stressors, we distinguish two main age groups: the first group includes pre-schoolers all the way through children who are in the latent phase (up to twelve years old); the second group includes adolescents.
Regarding the first group, i.e. the younger children: A child can experience the deterioration in the financial situation of the family as an extremely stressful event. Because of their age, children’s understanding of finances is limited and therefore their reactions can be disproportionate to the size of the problem or even to their own parents’ reactions. Children of this age group can react to stressful events with attendant insecurity, generalized fears about the future of the family (which they might see as catastrophic), increased attachment to parents and/or increased separation anxiety with impending sense of loss. At school they can present with feelings of indifference during class time and refusing to complete homework. Sometimes they may present with hyperactivity during class time or study. Their school performance might significantly drop.
In the second group (teenagers) depressive symptomatology usually prevails. The lifestyle of adolescents can easily be affected by a deterioration in the family finances, which might for example force the family to cut down on the adolescent’s private tuition; (having privately paid extracurricular education is the norm in Greece). The reduced financial resources may also impact negatively on the adolescent’s ability to go out with their friends, for example. Depressed teenagers might isolate themselves in their room for hours. Reduced school performance and social withdrawal can also be seen.
In addition, teenagers can present with behavioural disorders such as oppositional defiant disorder (towards parents and teachers), or more serious behavioural disorders such conduct disorder (characterized by violent acts, theft, and substance abuse). We already know from research that there is an association between the above disorders and low socioeconomic status; therefore financial challenges can have a negative impact on the adolescents mental wellbeing.
So, given all the above, should parents inform their children about the family’s financial situation? The answer is yes, on two conditions: First, to ensure this is done in a way that is appropriate for the child’s age, cognitive and intellectual level, so that the child is not led to false conclusions. Second, to avoid assigning the child roles and responsibilities which do not keep up with their mental and emotional maturity.
1018 (http://suicide-help.gr) is the national emergency number in Greece, 166 is the number for ambulances, 199 for the fire department, 100 is for police
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