Having two children may be best for women’s mental health, according to a new study.
A team from Soochow University in China analysed data collected from more than 55,000 women in the UK.
Analysis revealed that women with children had up to a 30 per cent lower risk than childless women of developing bipolar disorder and major depression.
Further analysis revealed that as the number of children increased from zero to two, the protective effect seemed to increase in strength.
However, it appeared to plateau after having two children.
The team said this suggests having two children may be linked with the lowest risk of bipolar disorder and major depression in women.
Writing in the Journal of Affective Disorders they said: ‘Live births were an independent protective factor against bipolar disorder and major depression.
‘Having two live births may be best for a woman’s mental health.’
Having two children may be linked with the lowest risk of bipolar disorder and major depression in women (File image)
They said their findings could be significant in the context of declining fertility rates across the world and the increasing prevalence of mental disorders.
Bipolar disorder, which affects around 2 per cent of the UK population, is a chronic mental health condition marked by extreme mood swings, fluctuating between manic highs and depressive lows.
These episodes can severely affect a person’s energy levels, daily functioning and overall quality of life.
Major depression, on the other hand, is defined by a persistent sadness and diminished interest or pleasure in activities that were once rewarding or enjoyable.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) indicate that more than one in three women aged 16 to 29 years in the UK experience moderate to depressive symptoms.
The researchers suggested several different possible explanations for their findings.
They said live births may protect against bipolar disorder and major depression due to hormonal changes experienced during pregnancy – especially increases in oestrogen and progesterone levels.
These hormones are known to improve brain function and help regulate the body’s systems linked to mood and cognition.
The psychological challenges of the second childbirth are generally more manageable, the study found (File image)
‘Long-term hormonal adjustments to the brain during pregnancy are believed to play a positive role in preventing mood disorders,’ they wrote.
‘Furthermore, forming the mother-child bond and caring for a newborn after childbirth stimulates the maternal dopamine reward system, providing emotional fulfilment and reducing the risk of depression.’
They added that by the time a woman has a second child, she is likely able to adapt more effectively to the demands of motherhood.
Compared to the stress and adjustment period of a first child, the psychological challenges of the second childbirth are generally more manageable, the team said.
‘Women are better able to manage changes in their daily routines, which alleviates anxiety and stress to some extent, thereby reducing the risk of bipolar disorder and major depression,’ they concluded.
