Having Two Children: How Does It Positively Affect Women’s Mental Health?

14th March 2025

4 minutes read

Having Two Children: How Does It Positively Affect Women's Mental Health?

A new study has shown that having two children may be the best for a woman’s mental health.

A team from Soochow University in China analyzed data collected from over 55,000 women in the United Kingdom.

The analysis, reported by the Daily Mail, revealed that women with children are 30% less likely to experience bipolar disorder or severe depression compared to women without children.

A deeper analysis found that, as the number of children increased from zero to two, the protective effect seemed to strengthen.

However, it appears that the effect plateaued after having two children.

The team explained that this suggests that having two children may be linked to the lowest risk of developing bipolar disorder or severe depression in women.

Researchers noted that their findings could be significant in the context of declining fertility rates worldwide and the increasing prevalence of mental disorders.

Bipolar disorder, which affects about 2% of the UK population, is a chronic mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings between manic highs and depressive lows.

These episodes can significantly impact energy levels, daily functioning, and overall quality of life.

Researchers explained that live births could protect against bipolar disorder and severe depression due to hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy, particularly the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels.

These hormones are known to enhance brain function and help regulate body systems linked to mood and cognition.

Furthermore, the bond formed between mother and child and the care given to the newborn after birth stimulates the mother’s dopamine reward system, providing emotional satisfaction and reducing the risk of depression.

The researchers added that by the time a woman has her second child, she is likely to be better able to cope with the demands of motherhood.

They noted that the psychological challenges of a second birth are generally more manageable compared to the stress and adjustment period experienced by a mother during her first childbirth.

Having two children may positively affect women’s mental health in several ways. Here are some points that may demonstrate a positive impact:

Reducing the Risk of Depression and Bipolar Disorder
Live births as a protective factor: Studies suggest that having children can act as a protective factor against depression and bipolar disorder. Having two children seems to be the optimal number to reduce these risks.

Improving Social Relationships
Social support: Having children increases the social support a woman receives from family and friends, enhancing her sense of belonging and self-esteem.
Interaction with children: Interacting with children can improve mood and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Reducing Anxiety and Stress
Focusing on others: Focusing on raising children reduces personal anxiety and stress, as attention shifts to others’ needs.
Positive experience: Raising children can be a positive experience that enhances satisfaction and emotional stability.

Positive Impact on Marital Relationships
Collaboration and understanding: Having children can increase collaboration and understanding between spouses, strengthening the marital relationship and reducing tension.
Shared interest: Children provide a common focus of attention between spouses, strengthening emotional bonds.

In general, having two children can be a positive experience that enhances women’s mental health by reducing the risk of depression, improving social and marital relationships. However, individual, economic, and social circumstances should be considered.

The presence of children in a family can lead to numerous psychological benefits for both parents and children themselves. Here are some of these benefits:

Strengthening Marital Relationships
Increased cooperation and understanding: The presence of children can increase cooperation and understanding between spouses, enhancing the relationship and reducing tensions.
Common goal: Children become a shared goal that strengthens emotional bonds between spouses and gives them a sense of purpose.

Joy and Happiness
Joy and happiness: Children bring joy and delight to the home, which enhances parents’ happiness and satisfaction.
Positive change: Having children can lead to positive changes in lifestyle and reduce feelings of loneliness.

Positive Impact on Mental Health
Reducing anxiety and depression: Having children can reduce anxiety and depression in parents, as they are a source of joy and purpose.
Boosting self-confidence: Children help boost parents’ self-confidence, as they feel proud and satisfied with their accomplishments.

Boosting Children’s Mental Health
Emotional support: Parents provide emotional support to children, enhancing their sense of security and self-confidence.
Developing social skills: Children develop their social and communication skills through interaction with family and the community.

Building Psychological Resilience
Adapting to challenges: Parents can teach children psychological resilience skills, helping them adapt to challenges and pressures.
Boosting problem-solving abilities: Children develop their ability to face challenges and turn them into learning opportunities.

In general, the presence of children in a family is a source of joy and satisfaction, and it can enhance the mental health of both parents and children by strengthening relationships and providing emotional support.