Latest news with #JAMAInternalMedicine
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Study reveals decline in mental health among US mothers
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a troubling decline in mental health among mothers in the United States. Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Michigan found the percentage of mothers reporting 'excellent' mental health dropped sharply from 2016 to 2023. Using data from nearly 200,000 mothers in the National Survey of Children's Health, a nationally representative survey of households with children, researchers tracked health trends among women with children under 18 years old. Most of the mothers were over 30. Notable findings included a drop in the percentage of mothers reporting 'excellent' mental health, from 38 percent in 2016 to 26 percent in 2023. Reports of 'excellent' physical health also declined, from 28 percent to 24 percent. Additionally, the number of mothers rating their mental health as 'fair/poor' increased from 5.5 percent to 9 percent. 'Although high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality have been well documented, national data on the health status of mothers beyond pregnancy and the first year postpartum is lacking,' said Jamie Daw, an assistant professor of health policy and management at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health. The study revealed that the decline in mental health started before the COVID-19 pandemic and was observed across nearly every socioeconomic subgroup examined. Researchers warned the impact extends beyond the mothers themselves, citing links between poor parental mental health and increased risks of developmental delays, behavioral issues and other challenges among children. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Fast Company
4 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
U.S. moms are experiencing a sharp decline in mental health
Mothers in the U.S. are facing more widespread mental health struggles. That's according to a new study published by JAMA Internal Medicine, out this week. The research, which took place from 2016 to 2023, showed mental health declining, as self-reported by respondents. Of the 198,417 female parents of children 17 and under who were surveyed, only 25.8% reported 'excellent' mental health in 2023. Just eight years earlier, 38.4% could say the same. Mothers who described their mental health as 'good' rose from 18.8% to 26.1%, but so did those who describe it as fair/poor, which went from 5.5% to 8.5%. Mothers reported lower rates of 'excellent' physical health, too, which went from 28% to 23.9%. 'Good' physical health rose from 24.3% to 28.1%, and 'fair/poor' physical health didn't change significantly. It's certainly not the first time we've heard about parental mental health worsening in recent years. In 2024, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy published a stark warning on the decline of parental mental health in America. 'Forty-one percent of parents say that most days they are so stressed they cannot function, and 48% say that most days their stress is completely overwhelming compared to other adults (20% and 26%, respectively),' Murthy wrote in the study. However, according to the new research, moms' mental health is declining more than dads'. The mothers who reported 'fair/poor' mental health were four percentage points higher than the fathers. Unsurprisingly, the survey showed that when it comes to maternal mental health, socioeconomic factors play a big role. 'Mental health declines occurred across all socioeconomic subgroups; however, mental and physical health status was significantly lower for single female parents, those with lower educational attainment, and those with publicly insured children,' the authors noted in the study. Financial struggles are deepening for many demographics. However, parents face issues like rising childcare costs, the growing cost of feeding a family due to inflation and the impact of tariffs, as well as a challenging job market and economic uncertainty. The latest research on the cost of raising a young child is troubling, too, as it has skyrocketed to around $300,000 —an increase of 36% since 2023. Likewise, it now takes a salary of about $180,000 per year to comfortably afford childcare, according to a 2025 analysis from the National Women's Law Center. Those high costs have been driving some parents, most commonly moms, to stay home. However, given that most families need two incomes to get by, they aren't just child-rearing at home, they're also working. That means more stay-at-home moms are essentially doing two jobs at once, creating a potential firestorm of stress.
The Hill
4 days ago
- Health
- The Hill
Study reveals decline in mental health among US mothers
A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a troubling decline in mental health among mothers in the United States. Researchers at Columbia University and the University of Michigan found the percentage of mothers reporting 'excellent' mental health dropped sharply from 2016 to 2023. Using data from nearly 200,000 mothers in the National Survey of Children's Health, a nationally representative survey of households with children, researchers tracked health trends among women with children under 18 years old. Most of the mothers were over 30. Notable findings included a drop in the percentage of mothers reporting 'excellent' mental health, from 38 percent in 2016 to 26 percent in 2023. Reports of 'excellent' physical health also declined, from 28 percent to 24 percent. Additionally, the number of mothers rating their mental health as 'fair/poor' increased from 5.5 percent to 9 percent. 'Although high rates of maternal morbidity and mortality have been well documented, national data on the health status of mothers beyond pregnancy and the first year postpartum is lacking,' said Jamie Daw, an assistant professor of health policy and management at Columbia's Mailman School of Public Health. The study revealed that the decline in mental health started before the COVID-19 pandemic and was observed across nearly every socioeconomic subgroup examined. Researchers warned the impact extends beyond the mothers themselves, citing links between poor parental mental health and increased risks of developmental delays, behavioral issues and other challenges among children.
6 days ago
- Health
Only 25% of moms in US report 'excellent' mental health, marking an alarming decline
A growing number of mothers are struggling with their mental and physical health, according to a new study. The study, published Tuesday in JAMA Internal Medicine, surveyed 189,417 mothers from 2016 to 2023. The findings show a sharp drop in maternal mental health, with only 25.8% reporting 'excellent' mental health in 2023, down from 38.4% in 2016. In addition to the decline in "excellent" mental health, mothers describing their health as just "good" rose from 18.8% to 26.1%, and "fair/poor" rose from 5.5% to 8.5%. 'We found a dramatic increase in mothers reporting fair or poor health -- a 64% increase,' Jamie Daw, lead author of the study and assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, told ABC News. 'These declines originated before the pandemic, suggesting this is due to broader societal and population level factors.' Physical health also declined over this period, with 15% fewer mothers reporting 'excellent' physical health, and more women reporting just 'good' health. These effects, however, were felt disproportionately with vulnerable mothers -- single, younger, with less education and whose kids were multiracial, publicly insured, or uninsured. Experts warn that worsening maternal mental health can have a ripple effect across generations. Poor mental health in mothers is linked to problems during childbirth, early childhood development, and long-term physical and mental health of children. 'We know that poor mental health contributes to maternal mortality, and it increases the risk of other poor health outcomes for both mom and baby,' said Dr. Jade Cobern, a board-certified physician in pediatrics and preventive medicine and fellow of the ABC News Medical Unit. 'As a pediatrician, I know firsthand that a mother's health is integral to a child's overall health and well-being." She continued, "I tell all my patients' mothers that taking care of their own health is a part of taking care of their baby's health and should be prioritized.' Fathers also reported declines in mental health, though mothers were consistently worse off -- one in 12 mothers reported "fair/poor" mental health compared to one in 22 fathers. These findings add urgency to the national conversation about parents' mental health. Most research has focused on mothers around childbirth, but this study suggests parental support needs to be extended beyond the postpartum period. '[We] need to reframe maternal mental health to not only be focused on pregnancy and postpartum. American mothers who are parenting children of all ages are reporting worse mental health,' said Daw. The U.S. surgeon general issued an advisory on parental pressures in August 2024, calling for policy changes, community programs and individual action to preserve the mental health of caregivers, naming it a public health priority. 'As a society and medical community, we have to continue to protect and prioritize mental health resources for all parents so families can thrive,' said Cobern. 'There is no shame in speaking up about mental health. It's a sign of great strength to seek help when needed.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Only 25% of moms in US report 'excellent' mental health, marking an alarming decline
A growing number of mothers are struggling with their mental and physical health, according to a new study. The study, published Tuesday in JAMA Internal Medicine, surveyed 189,417 mothers from 2016 to 2023. The findings show a sharp drop in maternal mental health, with only 25.8% reporting 'excellent' mental health in 2023, down from 38.4% in 2016. In addition to the decline in "excellent" mental health, mothers describing their health as just "good" rose from 18.8% to 26.1%, and "fair/poor" rose from 5.5% to 8.5%. 'We found a dramatic increase in mothers reporting fair or poor health -- a 64% increase,' Jamie Daw, lead author of the study and assistant professor at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, told ABC News. 'These declines originated before the pandemic, suggesting this is due to broader societal and population level factors.' Physical health also declined over this period, with 15% fewer mothers reporting 'excellent' physical health, and more women reporting just 'good' health. These effects, however, were felt disproportionately with vulnerable mothers -- single, younger, with less education and whose kids were multiracial, publicly insured, or uninsured. US surgeon general issues advisory on parents' mental health Experts warn that worsening maternal mental health can have a ripple effect across generations. Poor mental health in mothers is linked to problems during childbirth, early childhood development, and long-term physical and mental health of children. 'We know that poor mental health contributes to maternal mortality, and it increases the risk of other poor health outcomes for both mom and baby,' said Dr. Jade Cobern, a board-certified physician in pediatrics and preventive medicine and fellow of the ABC News Medical Unit. 'As a pediatrician, I know firsthand that a mother's health is integral to a child's overall health and well-being." She continued, "I tell all my patients' mothers that taking care of their own health is a part of taking care of their baby's health and should be prioritized.' Fathers also reported declines in mental health, though mothers were consistently worse off -- one in 12 mothers reported "fair/poor" mental health compared to one in 22 fathers. These findings add urgency to the national conversation about parents' mental health. Most research has focused on mothers around childbirth, but this study suggests parental support needs to be extended beyond the postpartum period. '[We] need to reframe maternal mental health to not only be focused on pregnancy and postpartum. American mothers who are parenting children of all ages are reporting worse mental health,' said Daw. Parents say they're struggling with their own mental health amid a growing youth mental health crisis The U.S. surgeon general issued an advisory on parental pressures in August 2024, calling for policy changes, community programs and individual action to preserve the mental health of caregivers, naming it a public health priority. 'As a society and medical community, we have to continue to protect and prioritize mental health resources for all parents so families can thrive,' said Cobern. 'There is no shame in speaking up about mental health. It's a sign of great strength to seek help when needed.' A. Taylor Thomas, MD, MPH is an anesthesia resident at the Massachusetts General Hospital and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. Only 25% of moms in US report 'excellent' mental health, marking an alarming decline originally appeared on
