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Overprotection of children leads to stress and depression in mothers
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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It has become known that focusing exclusively on the child can lead to the development of mental illnesses in women. American researchers have found that women who focus exclusively on the life of their child and consider themselves better parents than fathers suffer more often from stress and depression. Many representatives of the fair half of humanity idealize the process of upbringing, believing that motherhood is the main purpose in a woman's life.
However, it has been reported that the process of raising and caring for a child is much more difficult and stressful than work. It has also been suggested that intensive parenting can lead to stress and guilt. A survey of 181 women with children under five found that depressive symptoms were more common among women who prioritized parenting. Mothers who believed that women were the primary parent in their child’s life were less satisfied with their lives.
The authors of the study concluded that, despite the negative consequences of "intensive" parenting, a woman who wants to become a "better" mother sacrifices her interests and normal psychological state. In fact, it should be borne in mind that such obsessive care of the child can lead to the opposite result.
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