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In Germany, approximately 1 in 3 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 question in a data analysis now published in BMC Women's Health. 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% and affective disorders for a good 12%, " says Kirsch.

The current data analysis is based on the Germany-wide Pairfam Relationship and Family Panel, from which about 1, 450 mothers with at least one child living in the household were surveyed.

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 Kirsch. "That is why mother–child programs are an important component in the treatment of mothers with mental health issues or illnesses."

The need for a mother–child program is certified by the family doctor; the program is applied for as a preventive or rehabilitation service with the statutory health insurance fund.

More information: Monique Förster et al, Exploring the connection between maternal mental health and partnership, parental role, and satisfaction with various aspects of life using pairfam data: a cross-sectional analysis, BMC Women's Health (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s12905-025-03933-7