What the study found
The study found that households displaced by a natural disaster were more likely to report that children in the household needed mental health treatment. Among households with reported pediatric mental health needs, displaced households were also more likely to report inadequate or no treatment.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that these unmet mental health needs may negatively affect children's long-term development. They also say that, as climate change progresses, targeted research is urgently needed to understand how best to meet these needs.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used repeated cross-sectional data from the U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey collected from June 1, 2023, through September 31, 2024. They analyzed adult reports about all children in the household and used multivariable logistic regression models to compare displaced households with other households.
What worked and what didn't
Households that had been displaced in the past year because of a natural disaster had higher odds of reporting that children needed mental health counseling or medication (odds ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.12-1.48; P < .001). Among households with reported mental health needs, displaced households had higher odds of inadequate or no treatment even after adjustment for socioeconomic hardships (odds ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38-0.66; P < .001).
What to keep in mind
This was a cross-sectional study, so it shows associations rather than cause and effect. The abstract does not describe other limitations beyond the available survey-based design.
Key points
- Displaced households were more likely to report that children needed mental health counseling or medication.
- Among households with pediatric mental health needs, displaced households were more likely to report inadequate or no treatment.
- The analysis used U.S. Census Household Pulse Survey data from June 2023 through September 2024.
- The sample included 277,081 respondents representing about 35 million U.S. households with children.
- The authors say the unmet needs may affect long-term child development.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Displaced households reported more unmet child mental health needs
- Authors:
- Joniqua N. Ceasar, Keven I. Cabrera, David Mandell
- Institutions:
- Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania, University of Pennsylvania
- Publication date:
- 2026-04-14
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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