Energy Insecurity and Mental Health: Exploring the Links Between Energy Hardships and Anxiety and Depression

Mateo Cello, Jennifer Laird and Diana Hernández ()
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Mateo Cello: Energy Equity, Housing and Health (E2H2) Program, Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
Jennifer Laird: Department of Sociology, Lehman College, City University of New York, New York, NY 10468, USA
Diana Hernández: Energy Equity, Housing and Health (E2H2) Program, Department of Sociomedical Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 21, 1-30

Abstract: (1) Background: Millions of U.S. households experience energy insecurity, defined as the inability to adequately meet household energy needs. (2) Objectives: Examine the relationship between different dimensions of energy insecurity and adverse mental health (anxiety and depression) and assess whether these associations vary by household income. (3) Methods: This study investigates the relationship between energy insecurity, income, and mental health (anxiety and depression) using 2022 and 2023 data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey. (4) Results: Adverse mental health is more closely related to behavioral responses to energy insecurity rather than the economic burden of energy insecurity and are on par with food insecurity. Adverse mental health associations with keeping the home at an unhealthy temperature and giving up basic necessities to pay an energy bill are particularly large compared to being unable to pay an energy bill in full. For those without energy insecurity, the probability of adverse mental health outcomes decreases as income increases. For those with energy insecurity, the probability of adverse mental health outcomes is high across all income groups. This study underscores the need to consider economic and behavioral dimensions of energy insecurity in discussions about mental health.

Keywords: energy insecurity; mental health; energy and health; energy poverty; social determinants of health; anxiety; depression; extreme indoor temperatures; utility bills; food insecurity; material hardship (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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