A new study from Finland has highlighted a troubling connection between mental health disorders and reduced likelihood of parenthood among young people. This research emerges at a time when delayed parenthood has become increasingly common in many high-income countries, contributing to significant declines in fertility rates. At the same time, mental health issues are rising among youth.
The study, which analyzed Finnish register data from over 1.2 million participants, found that young individuals diagnosed with mental disorders are less likely to have children compared to their peers without such diagnoses. The association was particularly strong for schizophrenia, with those diagnosed with the disorder almost entirely unlikely to have a child by age 39.
Common mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety also had a noticeable impact on the likelihood of parenthood. Men diagnosed with depression were found to be 38% less likely to become fathers, while women with the same condition had a 19% lower likelihood of becoming mothers. The study also revealed similar trends for anxiety disorders, with both men and women experiencing a decreased likelihood of parenthood, though men faced a more pronounced effect.
Dr. Kateryna Golovina, a university researcher and the study’s first author, pointed out the gender differences observed in the findings. “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,” she explained.
The research also examined the role of partnership status, recognizing that stable relationships are often crucial to having children. The study found that men with mental disorders were significantly less likely to cohabit than their female counterparts with similar diagnoses. This finding suggests that difficulties in forming or maintaining partnerships may partially account for the lower parenthood rates among those affected by mental health disorders.
Associate Professor Christian Hakulinen, the project’s principal investigator, emphasized the gender differences in relationship formation: “Men with mental disorders were significantly less likely to cohabit than women with similar diagnoses,” he stated.
The study underscores the critical need for accessible and effective mental health services for young people. According to Golovina, providing long-term support is essential to help those with mental health disorders make life decisions, including those related to 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,” she concluded.
The findings call for urgent action to improve mental health care and ensure that young people receive the necessary support to thrive in all aspects of life, including family-building.
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