Children who suffer psychological problems – such as trauma over their parents divorcing – earn up to 30 percent less than others when they grow up, a study revealed. It warned that psychological problems in childhood have a more severe long-term impact than physical conditions such as speech defects because they persist through life。

Researchers looked at 17,634 children born in Britain in the first week of March 1958. They were tracked throughout their childhood, and their parents and doctors were quizzed about the emergence of any psychological problems. Doctors were asked if they had shown signs of "emotional maladjustment", which could include being extremely upset and confused if their parents divorced。

The study found those who suffered childhood psychological problems are likely to be "less conscientious" and tend to have "less stable" personal relationships. By the age of 50, an adult who had psychological problems as a child will typically earn 30 percent less than one who didn't. By comparison, minor physical problems such as speech defects resulted in a three percent pay hit。

James Smith, one of the authors of the study, said:"Childhood psychological problems can have significant negative impacts over the course of an individual's life."

研究发现，心理不健康儿童(比如那些经历过父母离异之痛的孩子)成年后收入比健康同龄人少了30%。该研究结果具有警示意义，即与儿童时期的生理障碍(如语言能力缺陷)相比，同时期所患的心理疾病给患者带来的影响持续时间更长、程度也更严重，因为心理疾病会持续一生。

研究人员调查了17643名出生于1958年第一周的英国儿童，并对他们的童年期进行了跟踪调查。而他们的父母和医生也被问及孩子是否有心理问题出现。其中医生需要回答，这些孩子是否有“情绪失调”的迹象，比如父母离婚后孩子们是否非常烦躁或者迷茫。

研究发现，童年经历过心理困扰的孩子“比较没有责任心”，而且个人关系“不太稳定”。待他们长到50岁，收入一般比童年幸福者少30%。相比之下，比较次要的生理问题(比如语言能力缺陷)所导致的收入减少比例仅为3%。

研究人员之一的詹姆斯-史密斯说道：“童年时期患有心理疾病对个人成长所带来的负面影响不容小觑。”