University lecturer Niina Metsä-Simola from the University of Helsinki led a study that analyzed data from almost half a million Finnish mothers. The research found that the support offered by parents and in-laws is important for mothers’ well-being, with a greater emphasis on maternal grandparents compared to paternal grandparents.
Housing proximity also played a significant role in determining mothers’ likelihood of using antidepressants, with mothers more likely to use less antidepressants if paternal grandparents lived nearby. The study was published in the journal Population Studies and sheds light on the impact of family support on maternal mental health in Finland.
The study looked at over 488,000 Finnish mothers, covering those with children under the age of 12 between 2000 and 2014. The research found that divorced mothers are more likely to use antidepressants, and the characteristics of their own parents and in-laws played a more significant role for divorced mothers compared to those who were not divorced.
The study highlights the importance of grandparents for the well-being of parents of young children in Finland, with support networks from grandparents being crucial during times of stress or anxiety. Divorced mothers may be at higher risk for using antidepressants due to lack of support from their own parents and in-laws.
