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[Card News Episode 10] Supporting Parental Mental Health

The focus of past childcare-related studies and policies has primarily been on children. The wellbeing and happiness of the people responsible for raising kids—the parents—tends to get overlooked. 

To understand parental mental health and related stressors, the Seoul Institute surveyed 555 Seoul residents with at least one child 0-9 years of age.

Our findings show that parental stress is higher and poor mental health is more prevalent among those a) with lower incomes; b) with younger children; c) not participating in leisure activities; d) experiencing lower levels of satisfaction with their specific childcare arrangements.

Suggestion from the Seoul Institute

First, childcare support services and relevant programs should be expanded. 
Second, there is a need to step up efforts to help parents take care of their mental health as well as to identify and monitor high-risk groups. 
Third, more support is needed to create an environment where employees can maintain a healthy work-life balance.  
Lastly, it is important to encourage mothers and fathers to work together better in raising their children.

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Source: Seongah Kim, 2023. “A Study on the Mental Health and Parenting Stress of Parents in Seoul.” Seoul: Seoul Institute.