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MHH researchers investigate factors influencing mothers' mental health. Inpatient mother-child interventions have a positive effect on mental illness.
In Germany, approximately one in three women is affected by a mental disorder. This includes many mothers. What are the causes of these problems in this particular group of people? Scientists from the Family Health Research Network at Hannover Medical School (MHH) investigated this in a data analysis. They examined the mental health of mothers in relation to various aspects of life. The result: the role of parent is the biggest factor influencing the mental health of mothers.
Anxiety disorders and mood swings
‘Mothers who feel less confident in their role as parents experience higher levels of mental stress,’ explains Claudia Kirsch, scientific director of the Family Health Research Network, whose team conducted the data analysis on maternal health. The team also found that satisfaction with family life and relationships, as well as work-life balance, is linked to mothers' mental health. The higher the satisfaction in these areas, the healthier the psyche – and vice versa. The spectrum of possible mental disorders in mothers is broad. Anxiety disorders and affective disorders, i.e. persistent and pronounced changes in mood and drive, are particularly common. ‘Anxiety disorders account for about 21 per cent and affective disorders for a good 12 per cent,’ says Claudia Kirsch. The current data analysis is based on the Germany-wide Pairfam Relationship and Family Panel, from which around 1,450 mothers with at least one child living in the household were consulted for this question.
Mother-child measures help
Various previous studies conducted by the Family Health Research Network show that the general health of mothers improves in the short and medium term as a result of inpatient mother-child measures. ‘Mothers with limited mental functioning in particular report relief from their symptoms and an improved quality of life even six months after the measure,’ explains Claudia Kirsch. ‘That is why mother-child programmes are an important component in the treatment of mothers with mental health issues or illnesses.’ The need for a mother-child programme is certified by the family doctor; the programme is applied for as a preventive or rehabilitation service with the statutory health insurance fund.
Research network supports institutions
The title of the data analysis is ‘Exploring the connection between maternal mental health and partnership, parental role and satisfaction with various aspects of life using pairfaim data: a cross-sectional analysis’. The results were published in August 2025 in the journal BMC Women's Health. The Family Health Research Network is an association of a scientific team from the Medical Sociology Research and Teaching Unit at the MHH and inpatient mother/father-child preventive care and rehabilitation facilities. In addition to its scientific work, the research network also supports the clinics in concept development and quality management.
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For further information, please contact Claudia Kirsch, Medical Sociology, kirsch.claudia@mh-hannover.de.
The original publication can be found here:
https://bmcwomenshealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12905-025-03933-7
Mother-child measures are an important component in the treatment of mentally distressed mothers.
Copyright: pixabay.
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Mother-child measures are an important component in the treatment of mentally distressed mothers.
Copyright: pixabay.
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