Although the causes of mental health disorders are complex to pinpoint, growing up in a stable, unchanged social environment may weigh in the balance, according to one study.

This research, published in the journal Jama Psychiatry, suggests that frequent moves during childhood are associated with significantly higher rates of depression in adulthood. This finding highlights the importance of the social environments in which children grow up and their impact on long-term mental health.

Experts in Denmark and the United Kingdom analysed data from around 1.1 million people born between 1982 and 2003, who had resided in Denmark for at least 15 years. Of these individuals, 35,098 were diagnosed with depression, with a higher prevalence among women (67.6%).

Following this sample into adulthood, the researchers found that children who had moved once between the ages of 10 and 15 were 41% more likely to be diagnosed with depression than those who had not moved. This risk rises to 61% for those who moved two or more times during these five years.

Multiple moves at this age were found to have a greater impact on mental health “than growing up in a deprived neighbourhood”, the researchers noted in a news release.

“We know there are a number of factors that lead to a person being diagnosed with a mental illness. However, this is the first evidence to suggest that moving to a new neighbourhood during childhood is among them, and we believe the numbers we are seeing could be the tip of the iceberg,” said study lead author Clive Sabel from the University of Plymouth.

“During those formative years, children are building their social networks through school, sports groups or other activities. Each time they have to adapt to something new, it can be disruptive. As such, we potentially need to find new ways to help people overcome those challenges,” he concluded.