Research on Parental Leave and Children’s Emotional Well-Being

Parental leave allows parents to step away from work so they can care for their newborn during the early months. A study published in the European Economic Review examined the effects of parents staying at home with their baby for a bit longer in the first year of life.

The study found that children who spent more time with a parent as babies showed stronger emotional and social skills as teenagers.

They were more responsible, better at managing their emotions, and reported feeling happier overall. These teens also missed fewer days of school.

While the study did not find large changes in intelligence or test scores for all children, it clearly showed that early parental care supports emotional health.

Overall, the researchers concluded that the first year of life is a very important time for development. More time with a parent during this stage supports emotional development that can continue through adolescence.

Understanding the Research

The researchers wanted to know how extra time at home with a parent affects children as they grow.

They used a change in Denmark’s parental leave rules in 2002. Before the change, parents could take 24 weeks of paid leave. After the reform, mothers may take up to 46 weeks.

To keep the comparison fair, the researchers chose children born just before and just after the reform. This way, they could see the effect of the longer leave.

Once the groups were identified, the researchers examined how the children were doing years later. They used school surveys that asked students about their emotions, friendships, sense of belonging, and how well they manage stress.

The study also looked at school records, including how often students missed school, how they performed in class, and whether they received mental health diagnoses such as anxiety, depression, or ADHD.

The results showed:

• Parents took about 1 to 1.5 extra months of leave on average after the policy change. This delayed the typical start of daycare from about 8 months to nearly 10 months of age.
• Each additional month of parental leave improved emotional skills, including conscientiousness, emotional stability, and well-being.
• Teens reported feeling happier and more emotionally balanced.
• Each extra month of parental leave reduced school absences by about 3%, meaning teens missed fewer school days.
• One extra month of leave also reduced ADHD diagnoses and other mental health diagnoses at ages 10 and 15.

Practical Strategies for Parents and Caregivers

This study isn’t saying parents need to be perfect or stay home forever. Instead, it shows that presence and emotional connection in the first year really matter.

Based on the study’s findings, here’s what families can take away:

Spend as much time as you can in the first year

If your workplace allows, consider requesting parental leave or flexible hours. If that’s not possible, think about alternatives like adjusting your schedule or working from home when you can.

Even if you can’t take long stretches of time off work, you can still find creative ways to spend quality time together. Read a picture book together, sing a favorite song, or share a morning cuddle before the day begins.

If possible, delay full-time daycare

Research has shown that babies who start full-time daycare closer to 10 months rather than 8 months tend to do better emotionally. This doesn’t mean daycare is harmful because quality daycare provides valuable learning and social experiences. However, timing can matter.

Take care of yourself, too

Being stressed can make it harder for parents to notice and respond to their child’s cues. Stressed parents may be more irritable, distracted, or less consistent in their caregiving.

Resting when possible and leaning on the support of those who care helps both you and your child.

The authors suggest that more generous parental leave may help reduce gaps in children’s skills and academic performance. It can help give all children a fairer start.

We’ve also put together a comprehensive collection of worksheets and handouts to support child and teen mental health. Download them here.