HELSINKI: In the intricate web of parenting, the role of grandparents has been underscored by a recent study conducted by Finnish researchers. The study, tracking 488,000 mothers of young children in Finland, discovered a significant correlation between the support and assistance provided by grandparents and the reduction of depression in mothers, CNN reported.
The research highlights the crucial role grandparents play in the mental well-being of mothers, potentially alleviating the need for antidepressants. Lead author Niina Metsä-Simola, a researcher at the University of Helsinki, emphasized that younger grandparents in good health are more likely to offer support and childcare, thereby positively impacting mothers’ mental health.
Depression in Mothers
The study found that mothers who were separated from their partners between 2000 and 2014 experienced the most noticeable effects, as they often assume sole custody of their children and may require assistance from relatives. Metsä-Simola noted that such mothers might face additional challenges such as increased workload and potential relocation, underscoring the importance of familial support during these transitions.
Despite Finland’s comprehensive welfare system, which provides universal access to healthcare, social services, affordable childcare, education, and housing with care, researchers observed a clear association between the proximity, age, and health of grandparents and the use of antidepressants among mothers.
Metsä-Simola emphasized the significance of intergenerational support in mothers’ mental health, stressing its relevance even within the context of a robust welfare state. However, the study lacked a direct measure of intergenerational support, prompting suggestions for future research to delve deeper into the impact of parental and in-law support on depression in women without children.
