Council on Contemporary Families Conference Report: Impact of Recession on Families Likely to Be Long-Lived

NEW REPORT DETAILS LONG-RANGE IMPACT ON FAMILY RELATIONS, CHILDREN'S SCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT, FUTURE PROBLEMS OF YOUNG ADULTS WHO EXPERIENCE UNEMPLOYMENT

CHICAGO, April 13 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner reports that the economy has pulled out of free fall; but foreclosures continue, there has been a huge spike in the number of the long-term unemployed, and both food and housing insecurity remain high. A new report prepared by the Council on Contemporary Families for its April 16-17 conference at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, summarizes what is known about the impact of recessions on individual well-being and on family life. The report is available at http://www.contemporaryfamilies.org/economic-issues/the-long-range-impact-of-the-recession-on-families.html?q=long-range.

"Recent economic trends have created emotional deficits and health crises, as well as financial ones, in American families," notes co-author Stephanie Coontz, who is Director of Research and Education for the Council and Professor of History at The Evergreen State College. "Our report shows that the impact on personal lives has been severe and is likely to be long-lasting."

• In earlier recessions, job loss has been linked to a 15 to 20 percent increase in death rates during the 20 years following lay-offs.
• More than half the unemployed report doing without medical care for financial reasons. Almost half say that job loss has led to conflicts with family members or friends. Women are more likely than men to admit to anxiety or depression as a result of job loss, but men are more likely to report feeling ashamed most of the time.
• Divorce rates have gone down, but domestic violence reports have gone up, and economic stress tends to impair parenting skills. A recent decline in fertility rates has also been linked to the recession, according to a study this month by the Pew Research Center.
• One in 7 children now lives with a parent who has lost his or her job. On average, living through a parent's unemployment increases a child's chance of being held back in school by 15 percent, while school relocation -- which often accompanies job loss or foreclosure -- is a significant predictor of delinquent behavior and dropping out of school for teens.
• Chronic stress associated with homelessness, poverty, and school relocation in childhood significantly impairs short-term memory by age 17.
• Children who fall into poverty during recessions are three times more likely to be poor as adults than children who do not experience poverty.
• People who are unemployed for substantial periods in their teens or early 20s are far more likely to develop depressive symptoms and/or to become heavy drinkers by the time they were middle-aged, regardless of their prior psychological history or drinking patterns.

The report also offers resources for people dealing with issues such as hunger, domestic violence, foreclosure, and suicidal thoughts. The report is available at http://www.contemporaryfamilies.org/economic-issues/the-long-range-impact-of-the-recession-on-families.html?q=long-range.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

On the impact of economic stress, job loss, or marital role reversals on marriage, divorce, parenting, and gender relations in the home, contact Stephanie Coontz, Professor of History and Family Studies, The Evergreen State College, Olympia WA. [email protected]. 360 352-8117; 360 556-9223

For tips about coping with partners and children and minimizing conflict when families are forced to move in together because of economic stress, contact psychologist Dr. Joshua Coleman, Psychologist and Co-Chair, Council on Contemporary Families. [email protected]; (510) 547-6500

On why and how chronic stress affects men's and women's sexual desire and sexual functioning, contact Virginia Rutter, Associate Professor of Sociology, Framingham State College, Framingham, MA, [email protected], 508 626 4863, or Pepper Schwartz, Professor of Sociology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, [email protected], 206 543 4036.

RESOURCES FOR FAMILIES EXPERIENCING HARDSHIP:

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or TTY 1-800-787-3224

To find an alcohol or drug abuse program in your area: http://dasis3.samhsa.gov/

If you need a mental health provider: http://mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/databases/

To find a local food bank: http://feedingamerica.org/default.aspx?SHOW_SHOV=1

If you are concerned about foreclosure:

http://portal.hud.gov/portal/page/portal/HUD/topics/avoiding_foreclosure

ABOUT CCF: The Council on Contemporary Families is a non-profit, non-partisan organization of family researchers and practitioners dedicated to providing the press and public with the latest research and best-practice findings about American families. Founded in 1996 and based at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the Council's mission is to enhance the national conversation about how and why contemporary families are changing, what needs and challenges they face, and how these needs can best be met. www.contemporaryfamilies.org.

To receive regular briefing papers from the Council, or a complimentary press pass to the conference, contact CCF's Director of Research and Public Education, Stephanie Coontz, [email protected]

SOURCE Council on Contemporary Families

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