A British study recently warned of the risks of unheated homes on mental health. This phenomenon also has consequences for social interactions. Explanations.
- Living in a cold house can aggravate pre-existing illnesses and increase the risk of complications.
- Mental health would also be impacted by living in an unheated house in winter.
In living rooms, the recommended ambient temperature is 19°C, but faced with rising electricity prices, many households plan to heat their homes less during the winter season.
A poorly heated house would increase the risk of mental distress
Living in a cold house is usually associated with serious health problems. This promotes in particular the aggravation of pre-existing cardiac and respiratory pathologies and can lead to the occurrence of complications (cerebrovascular accidents, respiratory infections).
A British study published in the journal Social Science and Medicine looked at the effects of houses with less or no heating on mental health. As part of this research, scientists looked at UK household data from the UK Household Longitudinal Study. They also modeled different situations in order to observe the link between mental distress and housing temperature.
The absence of heating has consequences on social life
According to the results, the probability of developing serious mental distress doubled in people without a history of mental disorders when they lived in cold housing. This risk tripled for subjects with a history of mental illness.
In addition to the risks for mental health, heating and electricity costs are a real source of stress and financial pressure for households. There are also repercussions on social life. People who are unable to heat their homes develop mechanisms that reduce interactions. During the winter, they invite their loved ones to their homes less or go to bed earlier to keep warm.