Summary: A large-scale study using Finnish national data has found that young adults diagnosed with mental disorders are significantly less likely to become parents by age 39. The most pronounced effect was seen in individuals with schizophrenia, while common disorders like depression and anxiety also reduced parenthood rates—especially among men.
Differences between genders were notable, with men generally less likely to have children than women with the same diagnosis. The study suggests that challenges in forming stable partnerships may partly explain these outcomes, emphasizing the need for accessible mental health support for young people navigating major life choices.
Key Facts:
- Reduced Parenthood Likelihood: Depression reduced fatherhood by 38% and motherhood by 19%.
- Gender Gap: Men with mental disorders were less likely to have children or cohabit than women.
- Schizophrenia Impact: Strongest effect seen in individuals with schizophrenia diagnoses.
Source: University of Helsinki
A new study has revealed a link between mental disorders and a lower likelihood of parenthood among young people in Finland.
This research comes at a time when many individuals are postponing parenthood to later ages. Concurrently, mental health issues among young people have become increasingly prevalent.
Using Finnish register data from over 1,2 million participants, the study found that both young men and women diagnosed with mental disorders are less likely to become parents compared to those without such diagnoses.
The strongest associations were found for schizophrenia: persons diagnosed with this disorder were highly unlikely to have their first child by age 39 years.
Common mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, also reduced the likelihood of parenthood. For example, men diagnosed with depression were 38% less likely to become fathers compared to those without depression diagnosis.
Among women, depression was associated with 19% lower likelihood of becoming a mother when compared to persons without depression disorder diagnosis. The similar difference between men and women were also observed for anxiety disorder.
“The differences between men and women were clear for many disorders, with men having a lower likelihood of having a first child compared to women with the same disorder”, says Dr. Kateryna Golovina, university researcher and first author of the study.
The role of partnership status
The study also explored the role of partnership status in the link between mental disorders and parenthood. Since stable relationships are often a key factor in having children, difficulties in forming or maintaining partnerships may partially explain lower parenthood rates among people with mental disorders.
“We found a clear pattern: men with mental disorders were significantly less likely to cohabit than women with similar diagnoses”, says Associate Professor Christian Hakulinen, PI of the project.
The importance of accessible mental health services
The findings highlight the need for accessible, high-quality mental health services for young people. Providing long-term support may be particularly crucial in helping people with mental disorders navigate life decisions, including family formation.
“Our research underscores the importance of well-functioning mental health services with low-threshold access, ensuring young people receive the support they need for both their well-being and life aspirations,” says Kateryna Golovina.
Funding: This study was supported by the Helsinki Collegium for Advanced Studies, University of Helsinki (KG); the Finnish Cultural Foundation (KG, Grant 00200993); the Otto A. Malm Foundation (KG); the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme (KG, Grant 101094741); the Research Council of Finland (CH, Grant 354237), (ME, Grant 339390), (MJ, Grant 345186); and the European Union (ERC, MENTALNET, Grant 101040247 to CH).
The proposal for this work was reviewed by their dedicated peer reviewers and assessment panel prior to funding being awarded.
The funder otherwise played no role in this research. Views and opinions expressed are those of the authors only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Council. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
About this mental health and parenting research news
Author: Kateryna Golovina
Source: University of Helsinki
Contact: Kateryna Golovina – University of Helsinki
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access.
“Mental Disorders and Having a First Child Among Young Adults: A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study” by Kateryna Golovina et al. BJOG
Abstract
Mental Disorders and Having a First Child Among Young Adults: A Nationwide Register-Based Cohort Study
Objective
To examine associations between mental disorders and time to first childbirth in Finland, and whether partnership status mediates these associations.
Design
Nationwide register-based cohort study.
Setting
Primary and secondary healthcare data from Finland.
Population
All individuals born in 1980–1995 who were childless and living in Finland at age 16 (n = 1 210 662).
Methods
Cox proportional hazards models to examine associations between mental disorders and time to first childbirth. Participants were followed until first childbirth, death, emigration, or the end of 2019.
Main Outcome Measures
Time to first live childbirth.
Results
Both men and women diagnosed with mental disorders had a lower likelihood of becoming parents compared to those without diagnoses. People diagnosed with schizophrenia and intellectual disabilities were the least likely to become parents. Adjusting for partnership status attenuated the associations for all mental disorders.
Before age 25, substance use, childhood onset, anxiety, or any mental disorders were associated with a higher likelihood of first childbirth, but after age 30, mental disorders were linked to a lower likelihood of parenthood.
Conclusions
Almost all mental disorders were associated with a lower likelihood of having a first child among young people born in 1980–1995. These findings imply that well-functioning mental health services are important from a fertility perspective.
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