Maternal mental health declines sharply in U.S., study finds

Maternal mental health declines sharply in U.S., study finds

A new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals a significant decline in the mental health of mothers in the United States from 2016 to 2023.

The percentage of mothers rating their mental health as “excellent” dropped, while reports of poor mental health rose—especially among single mothers and those with children on Medicaid or without insurance.

The study analyzed data from nearly 200,000 mothers through the National Survey of Children’s Health. In 2016, 1 in 20 mothers reported poor or fair mental health; by 2023, it was 1 in 12.

Experts attribute this trend to rising costs of housing, child care, and food, along with the ongoing absence of paid parental leave. Although the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health issues, researchers note the decline began beforehand.