The Bay State's working, poor families are more stressed than their counterparts from around the country, according to a ground-breaking new study on American families. What's more, despite the booming economy, low-income parents in Massachusetts reported a harder time than most others finding work, paying the rent, the mortgage or utilities.
Family life is unbelievably stressful.
The demands of work and family responsibilities are huge, and the cost of living is much higher here. Thirty-two percent of those Bay State parents said they were in poor mental health compared to 21 percent nationwide. The survey of 44,000 U.S. households asked parents a wide range of questions concerning their families' incomes, health care, housing and anxiety levels. Though the study did not explain why low-income couples in Massachusetts are significantly more depressed and stressed out than others, Shonkoff said there is a long list of likely reasons. The match between the skills these people have and the jobs that are available is off.