Parental stress can be harmful for both adults and their families, a recent surgeon general advisory said. Over one-third of parents say they experienced elevated stress in the past month.
Photo by Lechatnoir, courtesy iStockphoto
“I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents.”
— Vivek Murthy
Modern-day demands and stressors are making parenting harder in the U.S., which can have profound impacts on the nation’s public health, the U.S. surgeon general said in August.
Parental stress can be harmful for both adults and their families, Vivek Murthy, MD, MBA, said in the first-ever surgeon general advisory on the topic. Among the 63 million parents who live with children or teens under the age of 18, more than a third say they have had high levels of stress in the past month, compared to 20% of other adults.
“Parents have a profound impact on the health of our children and the health of society,” Vivek said in a news release. “I am calling for a fundamental shift in how we value and prioritize the mental health and well-being of parents.”
Work life, child care and costs are some of the biggest stressors for parents, the advisory said. Between 1985 and 2022, work hours for mothers and fathers increased by 28% and 4%, respectively. Parents are also spending more time providing child care compared to decades ago, with mothers devoting 40% extra time and fathers 154% more time on child care.
A quarter of parents say they face financial challenges in meeting their family’s basic needs, while a similar number struggle to afford health care for their family.
Child safety in communities and schools is also a growing concern for parents. In 2020, firearm violence overtook motor vehicle crashes as the leading cause of death for children and teens. Three-quarters of parents worry about the possibility that their child will be injured or killed in a shooting while at school.
Today’s parents and caregivers also struggle with technology and social media use by children. Many worry about their child being bullied, harassed or targeted by predators online, which could lead to social anxiety and self-esteem issues or worse.
Providing more support for parents and caregivers is essential, Murthy said. Policy changes and expanded community programs can help ensure they “get time off to be with a sick child, secure affordable child care, access reliable mental health care, and benefit from places and initiatives that support social connection and community,” he said in the advisory.
Chronic stress increases health risks, including long-term risks for heart disease, diabetes and autoimmune disorders. When combined with environmental and biological factors, chronic stress can worsen mental health conditions. About 24% of parents experience mental illness, with 6% suffering severe symptoms, the advisory said.
Parental mental health struggles can also influence their children. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, exposure to parental stress and anxiety can raise a child’s risk of injury, chronic disease and developing anti-social traits.
When parents experience mental health challenges, their children are four times more likely to develop physical health problems and two times more likely to experience mental, behavioral or developmental issues, according to research cited in the advisory.
Murthy called on policymakers, employers, communities, friends, family and public health professionals to take action. Health care providers should prioritize preventive care for stress management and mental health and screen parents annually for mental health issues, for example.
“By taking steps to mitigate stress at every stage, we can decrease exposure to chronic or severe parental stress, empower parents to meet both the needs of their children and their own, and reduce the likelihood of mental health conditions,” the advisory said.
For more information on “Parents Under Pressure: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Mental Health and Well-Being of Parents,” visit www.surgeongeneral.gov.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
