Unveiling the effects of energy poverty on mental health of children in energy-poor countries

Abstract

While existing literature extensively investigates the adverse effects of energy poverty on physical health, exploring its impacts on the mental well-being of school-aged children (5–14 years old) remain underexplored, particularly in the energy-deprived regions of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. This research aims to bridge this gap by delving into the indirect pathways through which energy poverty influences the mental health of these children, explicitly examining anxiety and depression, with a particular focus on child abuse as a potential mediating factor. This study employs comprehensive data at both the country level, covering 52 energy-poor nations from 2000 to 2019, and the household level, covering 18 energy-poor nations. This study utilizes a two-step system generalized method of moment approach to unveil the significant relationships between energy poverty and heightened levels of anxiety and depression. Furthermore, the study employs advanced statistical methods to analyze household-level data, including multilevel logistic regression, Probit instrumental regression models, and mediation analysis. These analyses confirm a robust association between energy poverty and an increased likelihood of anxiety and depression among school-aged children. The study also uncovers a concerning link between energy poverty and child abuse, emphasizing its role as a contributing factor to adverse mental health outcomes in children. The findings of this study offer critical insights for policymakers, highlighting the urgent need for targeted interventions and policies aimed at alleviating the adverse mental health effects of energy poverty on children. By addressing this issue, policymakers can contribute to fostering children's overall well-being and development in energy-poor regions.