Women's Experiences of the Effect of Financial Strain on Parenting and Mental Health.
Lucy E Marcil, Jeffrey I Campbell, Katie E Silva and 7 others
PMID 32822649WHAT IT FOUND
Women with young children described financial strain as forcing skipped meals, compromised parenting, and self-blame, which they linked to anxiety, depression, and suicidality.
Pregnancy, lost supports, and losing assistance when income rose were common triggers.
Key findings
01Financial strain was described as leading to forced tradeoffs, compromised parenting, and self-blame, which participants linked to adverse mental health effects.
02Pregnancy and childbirth were described as triggers of financial strain, including unpaid leave and difficulty working before and after birth.
03Self-blame was linked to mental health effects ranging from anxiety and depression to suicidality.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 26 English-speaking women from one urban New England area were interviewed, so themes may not fit women with different languages, locations, or family structures. Participants were recruited from a pediatric clinic and WIC office and had to use the affiliated medical center, so they may differ from women without those connections. The study relied on interviews, so themes may reflect what participants chose to say and may miss other important experiences. It is qualitative and does not test whether financial strain causes mental health problems or whether any clinical or financial intervention helps. Most participants were African American/Black and single, and all had young children, so the model may not apply to other groups. No income criteria were used, and financial strain is not limited to low-income women, so the study does not show how strongly these themes apply across income levels.
Declared interests
The authors report no conflicts of interest or relevant financial relationships.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read this as evidence that financial assistance or maternity visits improve mental health. The study describes 26 women's experiences and themes, not a tested intervention.