Four teams funded to research the effects of the wider determinants of health on young people’s experiences of emotional support

In our Young people’s future health inquiry, a clear link was found between young people’s mental health and the emotional support they experience from their families. Social and economic factors shape their family members’ capacity (or ‘bandwidth’) to offer such support.

Martina Kane, Policy and Engagement Manager at the Health Foundation, said:
‘We are pleased to be supporting these four research teams as they undertake this vital exploration of the link between wider determinants of health, such as economic security, and young people’s mental health.’

The Emotional Support for Young People programme is supporting four teams from across England with funding of between £100,000 and £200,000 to complete their research projects over 18 months.

The projects are:

• Supporting young Bradford 

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Focusing on 12–15-year-olds and their families across Bradford, this project will explore how work life balance affects the level of emotional support available to young people from their families.

• Social disadvantage, family support and young people’s mental health in the UK 

University of Liverpool
This project will investigate how social factors and adversities interact to affect adolescents’ family relationships, emotional support and subsequent mental health.

• Geographies of exclusion and inclusion: a comparative investigation of families 

University of York
Focusing on two communities in North Yorkshire, this project is aiming to address the gaps in the evidence on how emotional support from families can help or hinder mental health outcomes in young people.

• Cost of living: impact of emotional support for young Londoners

Toynbee Hall
This project will investigate whether young Londoners get the emotional support they need from their families, in the context of the cost-of-living crisis.