Financial Difficulties and Mental Health Problems

Several research studies have shown a link between financial difficulties such as poverty, being on benefits, debt and mental health problems. There appears to be a strong link although exactly what financial variables are most important is unclear. There is also uncertainty about the extent to which financial difficulties lead to poor mental health or poor mental health exacerbates financial difficulties, or whether both mechanisms might be possible with a ‘vicious cycle’. Various implications for practice and policy have been suggested though there is no consensus about best practice, and little research on support and interventions which help break the link between financial difficulties and poor mental health. 

This Research Topic has three main aims:
1. To tackle the problem of different professions researching the area in different ways with limited communication or knowledge transfer between them.
2. To close the gap between academic research and policy implications and practice.
3. To increase the international focus of an issue where research is dominated by research from the USA and UK

This issue will therefore be broad in its focus, including approaches from Psychiatry, Public health, Economics, Anthropology, Financial advice and Psychology. The breadth of coverage will include population level wellbeing, addiction, problem gambling and a range of mental health problems.

We are interested in a range of article types from different disciplines practitioners and policy makers and an international perspective, such as:
• Epidemiological or economic studies of the impact of financial hardship on mental health at a population level;
• Theoretical papers on the mechanisms underlying the relationship;
• Case studies on the role of mental health or financial professionals in supporting those with both financial difficulties and mental health problems;
• Research on impact of interventions whether clinical or financial, or integrated, on finances and wellbeing;
• Papers describing the systemic and structural conditions that cause, perpetuate or exacerbate the relationship;
• Policy reviews highlighting opportunities for governments and financial institutions to address the issue;
• Descriptions and case studies of best practices in terms of financial/debt advice or support from creditors;
• Research on the relationship between problem gambling and mental health problems;
• Reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analysis on the impact of specific financial difficulties on mental health, or the impact of financial difficulties on specific mental health conditions.