Banking apps could help manage mental health, study finds
While the link between financial stability and mental health is well-established, a new University College Dublin (UCD) study reveals a major blind spot in current research: an overreliance on self-reported surveys rather than objective financial data. The joint review published in Frontiers in Public Health by UCD School of Computer Science and UCD School of Psychology evaluated 43 studies on…
A new University College Dublin (UCD) study published in Frontiers in Public Health reveals that current research on financial habits and mental illness often relies too heavily on self-reported survey data, instead of objective financial records. This reliance on self-reported surveys can be inaccurate, especially during episodes of depression, distress, or mania, as memory and perception can be heavily skewed.
In contrast, anonymized, real-time banking data provides an objective view of actual spending patterns, missed payments, or sudden changes in financial behavior without bias. This shift towards objective measurement opens up new opportunities for digital tools to protect both financial security and mental well-being. The lead author, Dara Adedeji, suggests that future banking apps could offer opt-in safeguards, tailored budgeting alerts, or early-warning features for individuals going through periods of ill health.
Study co-author Associate Professor Keith Gaynor highlights that integrating objective financial data into mental health research could lead to earlier identification of financial vulnerability and more targeted, timely interventions.
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