The Stress of Parenthood: How It Differs for Moms and Dads

Being a parent is undoubtedly one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also be one of the most challenging. The daily responsibilities, coupled with the pressure to raise children well and provide for their needs, can take a toll on parents' mental health.

To honor Mental Health Awareness Month, we took a deep dive into mental health in parenthood. We wanted to explore all aspects of mental health, from how anxious parents are, to what makes them anxious, to activities they do to address their mental health concerns. This CARAVAN survey, conducted by Big Village, shows that parents experience some form of anxiety more than people without children.

Key Findings:

-??????88% of dads have experienced at least one of the listed mental health problems over the last 2 weeks, compared to 85% of moms.

-??????On a day-to-day basis, these are the top 5 topics that make parents feel very anxious: Quality of life from a financial standpoint (35%); the day-to-day impact of inflation (35%); gun violence in the United States (35%); the price of gasoline (31%) and civility of people towards others in everyday life (24%).

-??????37% of moms are very anxious about their quality of life from a financial standpoint, compared to 34% of dads.

-??????Moms and dads share a similar level of anxiety on the day-to-day impact of inflation. 36% of moms are very anxious about this, and 33% of dads are also very anxious.

-??????Moms show a high level of anxiety regarding gun violence in the United States. In fact, it is the topic that moms are most concerned about. 43% of moms are very anxious about gun violence, while only 23% of dads are.

-??????While 34% of moms are very anxious about the price of gasoline, only 28% of dads are bothered by it.

-??????26% of moms are very anxious about the civility of people towards others in everyday life, at the same time, 21% of dads are.

-??????96% of both moms and dads are inclined to do something to address their mental health concerns. Here are some activities moms and dads use to ease their anxiety:

-??????Top activities moms said they do: Spend time/hang out with family and friends, exercise, and read.

-??????Top activities dads said they do: Spend time/hang out with family and friends, exercise, and intentionally spend time alone.

In closing, it is important to emphasize that as a parent, it's crucial to prioritize your mental health and well-being to provide the best care for your children. Some parents manage their anxiety through lifestyle changes and self-care, while others seek therapy or medication. Here are some natural anxiety treatments that the Mom.com team has compiled for parents. Remember, taking care of your own mental well-being allows you to be a more present and nurturing parent. By addressing your anxiety, you create a loving and secure environment where your children can thrive.

Research Methodology

This CARAVAN survey was conducted by Big Village among a sample of 793 U.S. adults aged 18-64, 324 of which have children under 18 years of age in their household. This survey was live on April 22-24, 2023.