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The Dynamic Relationship Between Objective and Subjective Housing Affordability and Mental Health
Geon Kim1, Da Yoon Kim2, Bo Kyong Seo3
1Department of Urban Planning and Real Estate, Chung-Ang University, 84, Heukseok-Ro, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea.
Summary
High housing costs negatively impact mental health, especially when residents feel burdened. This effect is more significant for lower-income households, highlighting the need for housing support.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Urban Studies
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Housing affordability is a critical determinant of individual and community well-being.
- The psychological impact of housing costs, particularly the subjective experience of rent burden, remains under-explored.
- Existing research often overlooks the nuanced relationship between objective housing affordability and subjective financial stress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between housing affordability and mental health.
- To examine the moderating effect of subjective perceptions of rent burden on this association.
- To identify vulnerable populations disproportionately affected by housing affordability challenges.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the Korean Labor and Income Panel Study.
- Assessed housing affordability using the rent-to-income ratio.
- Analyzed the interaction between objective housing affordability and subjective rent burden perception on mental health outcomes.
Main Results:
- Poorer mental health outcomes were observed when high housing costs were coupled with a perceived sense of financial burden.
- This interaction effect was particularly pronounced in households within the bottom 40% of the income distribution.
- Lower-income groups experienced disproportionately higher mental health risks related to housing affordability.
Conclusions:
- Subjective rent burden significantly influences the mental health consequences of housing unaffordability.
- Housing interventions should address both objective affordability and subjective financial stress.
- Policies aimed at improving residential environments and alleviating perceived housing stress are crucial for mitigating mental health risks, especially for low-income populations.
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