Higher Levels of Parental Leave Benefits is associated with Better Maternal Mental Health
Mothers with higher levels of paid parental leave are less likely to experience mental health problems after giving birth than mothers with the basic level of parental leave. This is shown in a new study from researchers at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University, and Global Public Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, followed over 210,000 first-time mothers across Sweden giving birth between 2007–2011. The researchers found that those receiving more generous parental leave benefits have better mental health in the first year after childbirth.
If we want healthier mothers, we need to ensure that all families – not just those with steady jobs – can have generous parental leave support.
This is the first study to examine whether paid parental leave benefit levels are linked to mental health following childbirth.
Access to generous parental leave benefits is a health issue
“We found that mothers with basic receive mental healthcare after giving birth – even when mental health before pregnancy, income, and job status were considered,” says Amy Heshmati, a PhD student at KI seated at the Centre for Health Equity Studies, Department of Public Health Sciences at Stockholm University/Karolinska Institutet. “This shows that access to more generous parental leave benefits is not just a financial issue, but also a health issue too.”
Of the first-time mothers that were investigated, 17 % received only basic leave benefits, while 83% qualified for benefits tied to their prior earnings (about 80% of their salary). Mothers receiving basic benefits were twice as likely to need specialist mental health care or be hospitalized with some reduction after accounting for income and mental health history.
The mother's most recent income is a crucial factor
In Sweden, access to the more generous, earnings-based leave, depends on the mother´s recent employment history and income. This means that women who, before giving birth, were unemployed, or in precarious jobs may miss out on support that could protect their mental health.
The authors of the study suggest that improving women’s access to stable employment as well as rethinking eligibility rules for parental leave benefits could help prevent postpartum mental health issues and promote family well-being.
“This research has real implications for policymakers,” says Sol Juárez, senior lecturer at the Department of Public Health Sciences, Stockholm University. “If we want healthier mothers, we need to ensure that all families – not just those with steady jobs – can have generous parental leave support.”
Håkan Soold
Facts
The study Parental Leave Benefits and Maternal Postpartum Mental Health in Sweden was published recently in the scientific journal Jama Network Open. It is part of the research project The unintended consequences of Swedish parental leave policy: A health equity perspective that ran 2019–2022.
In addition to Amy Heshmati, the following researchers participated in the study: Helena Honkaniemi, researcher, and Sol Juárez, associate professor, both at the Department of Public Health Sciences at Stockholm University and Sara Fritzell, researcher at the Department of Global Public Health at Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm.
Last updated: May 7, 2025
Source: Department of Public Health Sciences