Manuscript Submitted to Journal of Public Health

http://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/jph

Financial toxicity and psychological distress in parental

unemployment: a serious problem for public health concern

Journal: Journal of Public Health

Manuscript ID JPH-23-0870

Manuscript Type: Correspondence

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Date Submitted by the

05-Aug-2023
Author:
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Complete List of Authors: Padillah, Raup; Universitas PGRI Banyuwangi, FKIP

Keywords: Psychological determinants, Finance, Public health

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Page 1 of 3 Manuscript Submitted to Journal of Public Health

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3 Correspondence:
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7 Financial toxicity and psychological distress in parental unemployment: a
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serious problem for public health concern
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11 Raup Padillah1
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13 1Universitas PGRI Banyuwangi, Indonesia
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17 Dear Editors,
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19 In a recent paper, Dalmacito Cordero discuss aboutthe effects of parental unemployment on
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20 children’s mental health(1), which is a correspondence from my previous article entitled “Parental
21 unemployment: a ticking time bomb for children’s adverse childhood experiences”(2). The two
22 articles discuss mental health issues that come out primarily because of families financial
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difficulties, which is also related to JPH's latest article regarding the issue of financial toxicity(3).
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25 Financial toxicity is closely linked to psychological distress(4,5). The profound impact of financial
26 toxicity and psychological distress resulting from parental unemployment should be considered a
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27 serious public health concern.

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29 Financial toxicity refers to the adverse effects of financial burden and the subjective financial
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30 distress(3). When parents face unemployment, the sudden loss of income, mounting debts, and
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uncertainty about the future can lead to overwhelming stress and anxiety(6). As they grapple with
the pressure to support their family, feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness may set in,
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34 exacerbating psychological distress. The mental health implications of financial toxicity are far-
35 reaching and can manifest as depression, anxiety disorders, and a decreased overall quality of
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life(7–9).
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The consequences of parental unemployment extend beyond the individual, deeply impacting
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40 family dynamics and the well-being of children(10,11). Children are highly perceptive, and
41 witnessing their parents' financial struggles and distress can leave lasting emotional scars(12). The
42 resulting uncertainty and instability can lead to heightened levels of anxiety and insecurity in
43 children. Academic performance also suffer due to increased stress and disrupted routines, while
44 behavioral issues may emerge as children attempt to cope with their emotions.
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The combination of financial toxicity and psychological distress in parental unemployment has
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48 broader public health implications(13–16). As unemployment rates rise, so do mental health issues,
49 increasing the burden on healthcare systems(17). The demand for mental health services and
50 support can overwhelm available resources, leading to reduced access to critical care for those in
51 need. Furthermore, untreated psychological distress can escalate, leading to more severe mental
52 health conditions and requiring more intensive and expensive treatment.
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Addressing this serious problem requires a multi-faceted approach that involves collaboration
56 between various stakeholders. Policymakers should prioritize social safety nets, ensuring that
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3 families have access to financial assistance and mental health support during periods of
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unemployment. Governments can also invest in job training and employment programs to
6 empower the unemployed with necessary skills and resources to regain financial stability.
7 Healthcare providers should expand mental health services and develop outreach programs to
8 reach vulnerable populations affected by parental unemployment.
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10 Conclusion is, financial toxicity and psychological distress resulting from parental unemployment
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are serious public health concerns that warrant immediate attention. The ripple effects of
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unemployment extend far beyond the individual, impacting families, communities, and the
14 economy at large. By implementing comprehensive measures to support families during
15 unemployment and addressing the mental health challenges that arise, society can mitigate the
16 burden of financial strain and foster stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities. A
17 collaborative effort from policymakers, healthcare providers, and support organizations is
18 necessary to tackle this critical issue.
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21 Funding
22 The authors declared no funding was received for this paper.
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24 Conflictt of interest
25 The authors declare no conflict of interest in this paper
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29 References
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32 1. Cordero Jr D. Exploring the effects of parental unemployment on children’s mental
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33 health. J Public Health (Bangkok). 2023 Aug 4;

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2. Padillah R. Parental unemployment: a ticking time bomb for children’s adverse childhood
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3 8. Honda K, Tsubouchi H, Mori M, Suzuki S, Nakao K, Azuma A, et al. Association of financial
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8 Financial Toxicity Considerations. Semin Radiat Oncol. 2023 Apr;33(2):203–10.
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24 14. Shah K, Zafar SY, Chino F. Role of financial toxicity in perpetuating health disparities.
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15. Nishimura Y, Miyoshi T, Hagiya H, Otsuka F. Prevalence of psychological distress on public
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