Energy Insecurity Is Strongly Linked to Anxiety and Depression in U.S. Adults, New Study Finds
A growing body of research is showing that the challenges people face at home go far beyond rent and groceries. A new study from the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy highlights another critical issue that often flies under the radar: energy insecurity. According to the researchers, difficulty affording or safely using household energy is closely associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression among U.S. adults.
Energy insecurity refers to the inability to meet basic household energy needs, such as paying electricity or heating bills, keeping indoor temperatures at safe levels, or maintaining power for essential appliances. While food and housing insecurity are widely recognized as social determinants of health, this study argues that energy deserves equal attention.
What the Study Examined
The research, published in JAMA Network Open, analyzed data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s Household Pulse Survey, a large national survey designed to capture the social and economic effects of major disruptions on American households. Using this dataset, the researchers examined how different forms of energy insecurity relate to mental health outcomes, specifically symptoms of anxiety and depression.
The study focused on three core components of energy insecurity:
- Difficulty paying full or partial household energy bills
- Living in homes with unsafe or unhealthy indoor temperatures
- Cutting back on essential needs, such as food or medication, to afford energy costs
By analyzing these factors alongside mental health indicators, the researchers aimed to better understand how energy challenges intersect with emotional well-being.
How Common Energy Insecurity Is
One of the most striking findings from the study is just how widespread the problem is. According to the analysis, 43% of U.S. households experienced some form of energy insecurity in the past year. This means nearly half of all households faced challenges related to paying for, accessing, or safely using energy.
This prevalence underscores that energy insecurity is not a niche issue. It affects millions of people across income levels, housing types, and regions, making it a significant public health concern.
The Mental Health Connection
The link between energy insecurity and mental health was particularly strong among individuals who had to make difficult financial trade-offs. Among respondents who reported reducing spending on necessities to cover energy bills, nearly 39% experienced symptoms of anxiety, while 32% reported symptoms of depression.
These rates were more than twice as high as those reported by individuals who did not have to sacrifice essential needs to pay for energy. Even after accounting for other social and economic factors, energy insecurity remained strongly associated with poor mental health outcomes.
Importantly, the study was not designed to determine whether energy insecurity directly causes anxiety or depression. However, the researchers emphasized that the relationship is clear and consistent, pointing to a pattern of compounding stressors that place affected households at greater risk.
Why Energy Insecurity Is So Stressful
Energy insecurity creates stress in multiple ways. Living in energy-inefficient housing often leads to higher utility bills, making it harder for households to stay financially stable. Unsafe indoor temperatures can disrupt sleep, worsen existing health conditions, and increase physical discomfort.
On top of that, the fear of utility shutoffs or power outages adds ongoing anxiety. For many households, paying energy bills means making painful decisions between heating the home, buying groceries, or filling prescriptions. Over time, these constant trade-offs can contribute to chronic stress, which is closely linked to anxiety and depression.
Who Is Most Affected
The study found that energy insecurity does not affect all groups equally. Certain populations are disproportionately impacted, including:
- Black and Hispanic households
- Renters, who often have less control over home energy efficiency
- Families that rely on electronic medical devices, where power interruptions can pose serious health risks
These groups are more likely to face overlapping challenges, such as lower incomes, aging housing stock, and limited access to assistance programs. When energy insecurity is layered on top of other hardships, the mental health burden can be especially severe.
Energy Insecurity as a Social Determinant of Health
One of the key takeaways from the research is the need to recognize energy insecurity as a distinct social determinant of health. While it is related to poverty and housing instability, energy insecurity has unique features that directly affect safety, comfort, and psychological well-being.
The researchers argue that health care providers should begin screening for energy insecurity, much like they already do for food insecurity. Identifying patients who struggle with energy costs could help clinicians better understand underlying stressors that contribute to mental health symptoms.
Policy and Research Implications
The authors describe the study as primarily a data-collection effort aimed at building evidence for future policy improvements. By clearly documenting the relationship between energy insecurity and mental health, the research lays the groundwork for more targeted interventions.
Potential policy responses include expanded energy assistance programs, improved housing energy efficiency, and better coordination between health care systems and social services. Addressing energy insecurity may not only reduce financial strain but also improve mental health outcomes at a population level.
The lead researcher is continuing to explore these issues with graduate students at the Carter School. Ongoing and upcoming projects include analyses of state-level energy aid implementation and investigations into how energy insecurity may influence eviction rates.
Broader Context: Energy, Climate, and Mental Health
Energy insecurity is becoming an even more pressing issue as energy costs rise and extreme weather events become more common. Heat waves and cold snaps increase the demand for heating and cooling, pushing utility bills higher and placing additional strain on vulnerable households.
Research in environmental and public health fields has already shown that extreme temperatures can worsen mental health, particularly among individuals with limited resources. When households cannot afford to maintain safe indoor conditions, the psychological toll can be significant.
By connecting energy insecurity to anxiety and depression, this study adds to a growing recognition that mental health is deeply shaped by living conditions, not just individual behavior or biology.
Why This Research Matters
This study brings attention to an issue many people experience but rarely name. Energy insecurity affects comfort, safety, finances, and emotional well-being all at once. By documenting its association with anxiety and depression, the research challenges policymakers, health professionals, and communities to think more broadly about what it takes to support mental health.
As discussions around social determinants of health continue to evolve, energy insecurity is increasingly difficult to ignore. Recognizing it as a serious public health issue is an important step toward creating systems that support both physical and mental well-being.
Research paper:
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2840540
