Parenthood and mental health: Findings from an English longitudinal cohort aged 32

Studying the mental health effects of parenthood is challenging due to unequal selection into parenthood. This study used data from the English longitudinal cohort Next Steps (N = 7095) to examine the association between parenthood, psychological distress and life satisfaction at age 32, accounting for observable selection effects. A lifecourse perspective offered insights into early life inequalities that influence fertility decisions and parent's life stage, which, in turn, may shape the extent to which parenthood is a determinant of mental health. Results indicate a small positive effect of parenthood on mental health, with males reporting better outcomes than females. Parenthood had a greater impact on improving life satisfaction than reducing psychological distress. In the female sample, ethnic minority parents reported lower psychological distress than White parents, while ethnic differences in mental health were more pronounced among males without children. Sexual minorities reported higher psychological distress, particularly LGBQ female parents. Having a cohabiting partner and dual earnings protected mental health, especially for parents. Older age at first child was also associated with better mental health while a greater number of children was linked to worse mental health for females but not males. Among people without children, fertility intentions influenced mental health—males who did not want children reported the lowest life satisfaction, whereas for females, it was those uncertain about their fertility intentions. This study highlights modest mental health benefits of parenthood while emphasising social inequalities. Future research should explore long-term mental health trajectories and policies that mitigate mental health burdens associated with different fertility choices.