Parenthood linked to better mental health at 32

Parents in their early 30s report fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety than peers without children, but gender and income gaps in mental health still remain.

A new study shows that mothers and fathers aged 32 in England reported slightly lower levels of anxiety and depression, and greater life satisfaction, than those without children.

However, women, people without cohabiting partners, and those under financial strain were more likely to report psychological distress.

The findings are drawn from data on over 7,000 people born in 1989–90 who have taken part in the Next Steps study since adolescence.

Dr Morag Henderson, co-author from UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies said: “Our findings point to the need to better support the mental health of both parents and people without children by addressing gender differences in the workplace, and financial instability.

“For parents in particular, a greater focus on parental mental health and workplace provisions such as flexible working and parental leave could improve their situation.

“However, the inequalities highlighted in this study inform the need for tailored mental health support for different parental experiences, such as younger parents, parents who are not in a cohabiting relationship and for larger families.”

Researchers at UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies examined participants’ family and employment status, fertility intentions, and mental health at age 32.

On average, parents reported marginally fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression than non-parents, but moderately higher life satisfaction. #

Mothers reported more psychological distress than fathers, though life satisfaction levels were similar.

The gap in life satisfaction between parents and non-parents was more pronounced for men, suggesting that fatherhood may have a stronger link to overall wellbeing.

Living arrangements had a significant effect.

People living alone were more likely to experience poor mental health than those in cohabiting relationships, with solo parents facing particular pressures.

Couples in which both partners were unemployed reported especially high levels of psychological distress.

The researchers also found that becoming a parent at a younger age was associated with poorer mental health.

Each year of delay before having a first child was linked to better mental health and wellbeing. Having more children was linked to worse mental health, particularly for mothers.

Among participants without children, those currently trying to conceive had the highest life satisfaction.

Men who said they did not want children reported the lowest satisfaction, while women uncertain about their fertility intentions had the lowest overall wellbeing scores.

Just over half (54 per cent) of study participants were parents by age 32, with an average age at first birth of 28.

Women and people from disadvantaged backgrounds were more likely to have had children by that age.