Study Finds Supportive Grandparents Reduce Antidepressant Use in Mothers

A Finnish study involving nearly half a million mothers highlights the critical role of familial support in maternal mental health.

A comprehensive study in Finland involving 488,000 mothers reveals that those with supportive grandparents are less likely to use antidepressants.
The study highlights the importance of intergenerational support, particularly for mothers who are separated from their partners, in reducing the risk of depression.
Grandparents' proximity, age, and health significantly influence mothers' mental health, with closer and healthier grandparents linked to lower antidepressant use.
Despite Finland's extensive welfare support, the study underscores the unique role of familial support in mothers' mental well-being.
Future research is encouraged to explore the impact of grandparents' support on childless women and to investigate the role of other family members and community support.