Abstract
Background:
Parenthood significantly affects life, especially for those raising children with special needs. International studies show that these mothers are more prone to stress, depression, insomnia, and poor health. The aim of this study was to investigate how increased childcare burden, resulting from having children with chronic illnesses, learning, and/or behavioural difficulties, affects mental health and work lives of mothers within a Danish welfare setting.
Methods:
We analysed data from 38,414 mothers in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Participants were grouped based on childcare burden status (CBS), reflecting their children’s health status. Adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used to estimate associations between CBS and maternal outcomes related to mental health and work-life circumstances, controlling for relevant covariates.
Results:
Among the 38,414 mothers, 4,189 (10.9%) had children with chronic illnesses, 990 (2.6%) had children with behavioural and/or learning difficulties, and 192 (0.5%) had children with both conditions. Compared to mothers of healthy children, those with higher CBS reported lower levels of work attachment, work-life balance, and higher risks of depression, stress, sleep disturbances, and poor overall health. Differences were most pronounced for mothers of children with behavioural and/or learning difficulties. Final analyses are still being prepared at the time of abstract submission.
Conclusion and clinical relevance:
Despite Denmark’s welfare support, having children with chronic illnesses, behavioural and/or learning difficulties is associated with poorer maternal mental health and work-life challenges. These findings highlight a vulnerable group and provide valuable insights for midwives in their approach to supporting affected families.
Parenthood significantly affects life, especially for those raising children with special needs. International studies show that these mothers are more prone to stress, depression, insomnia, and poor health. The aim of this study was to investigate how increased childcare burden, resulting from having children with chronic illnesses, learning, and/or behavioural difficulties, affects mental health and work lives of mothers within a Danish welfare setting.
Methods:
We analysed data from 38,414 mothers in the Danish National Birth Cohort. Participants were grouped based on childcare burden status (CBS), reflecting their children’s health status. Adjusted logistic and linear regression models were used to estimate associations between CBS and maternal outcomes related to mental health and work-life circumstances, controlling for relevant covariates.
Results:
Among the 38,414 mothers, 4,189 (10.9%) had children with chronic illnesses, 990 (2.6%) had children with behavioural and/or learning difficulties, and 192 (0.5%) had children with both conditions. Compared to mothers of healthy children, those with higher CBS reported lower levels of work attachment, work-life balance, and higher risks of depression, stress, sleep disturbances, and poor overall health. Differences were most pronounced for mothers of children with behavioural and/or learning difficulties. Final analyses are still being prepared at the time of abstract submission.
Conclusion and clinical relevance:
Despite Denmark’s welfare support, having children with chronic illnesses, behavioural and/or learning difficulties is associated with poorer maternal mental health and work-life challenges. These findings highlight a vulnerable group and provide valuable insights for midwives in their approach to supporting affected families.
| Originalsprog | Engelsk |
|---|---|
| Publikationsdato | maj 2025 |
| Status | Udgivet - maj 2025 |
| Begivenhed | Nordic Midwifery Congress 2025: Midwives Embracing Diversity - Copenhagen, Danmark Varighed: 26 maj 2025 → 28 maj 2025 |
Konference
| Konference | Nordic Midwifery Congress 2025 |
|---|---|
| Land/Område | Danmark |
| By | Copenhagen |
| Periode | 26/05/25 → 28/05/25 |