Parents face depression after adult children lose jobs in India
India
A new study shows that when adult children lose their jobs, their parents are 12% more likely to experience depression.
Researchers looked at data from more than 73,000 Indians ages 45 and older, highlighting how job struggles can affect the whole family's mental health.
Firstborn son's unemployment raises parental depression
The impact is even bigger when it is the firstborn son who is unemployed, probably because of cultural expectations around sons as main providers.
But there is a hopeful takeaway: older adults who stay socially active or involved in community groups are less likely to feel depressed, even if their children are out of work.
The study suggests tackling youth unemployment and encouraging social connections could help protect older adults' mental health.