Its latest published research which has been produced in partnership with the Housing Agency, shows that mothers living in inadequate housing and poorer quality neighbourhoods report more depression, find parenting more stressful, and report greater conflict and less closeness with their children.
Long-term access to resources also plays an important role, with those excluded from the labour market experiencing poorer quality housing. Problems of housing quality, or having to frequently move home, are more common among those living in the private rented and in social housing. They have a more hostile parenting style, find parenting more stressful, and report poorer quality relationships with their partner.
This happens because the impact of inadequate housing on mothers’ wellbeing spills over to harm their children’s wellbeing according to the report. The ESRI has said that the research highlights the importance of addressing housing and neighbourhood quality in promoting family and child wellbeing.