Universal two-child policy linked to increased depression among Chinese women
When China relaxed its family planning rules to allow all couples to have two children, depressive symptoms unexpectedly rose among married women. A new study reveals how financial constraints and family pressures contributed to this psychological toll.
China's shift to a universal two-child policy has been linked to a rise in depressive symptoms among married women in their childbearing years, according to a recent study published in the journal Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences. The policy change, implemented in 2016, allowed all families to have two children, potentially affecting women's psychological well-being.
The research, led by Ruoxi Ding and Chao Guo from Peking University Sixth Hospital, analyzed data from 7,481 married women aged 20 to 40 in China, collected through the China Family Panel Study. The study found that women exposed to the new policy had a 45% higher likelihood of experiencing moderate to severe depressive symptoms compared to those unaffected by the change.
Women aged 30 to 40 were most significantly impacted, possibly due to increased career planning challenges and heightened pregnancy risks. Lower educational attainment and lower income levels also correlated with higher depression rates. Cultural expectations for male heirs may have exacerbated the issue, as women with boys faced higher financial burdens associated with raising children.
While the relaxed policy might alleviate some pressures related to fertility, it could introduce new challenges that impact mental health.
Written by urgent.news from PsyPost's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
