A third of mothers
More and more mothers are overprotecting their babies in Quebec. This is what the new publication reveals Parenting practices and attitudes, relationships, health and well-being of mothers and fatherscarried out from the longitudinal study Growing up in Quebec. This study will follow more than 4,000 children born in 2020-2021 into adulthood. The first results revealed on Tuesday show that a little less than a third of mothers (30%) overprotect their babies, while 18% did so in the previous cohort studied by the ISQ, which focused on children born in 1997-1998.
Near you at all times
Parental overprotection encompasses protective behaviors that are excessive given the child’s developmental stage, notes Christine Doucet, research professional in longitudinal studies at the ISQ and author of the publication. “For example, it may be a matter of absolutely wanting to have your baby close to you at all times, of feeling bad about having your baby looked after, etc. »
Depressive symptoms
Many of the young parents interviewed by the researchers also presented depressive symptoms. “During the week preceding the study, the mothers of approximately 29% of the babies and the fathers of approximately 14% of the babies had symptoms at a level of severity indicating probable clinical depression. » They note that the data collection took place during the COVID-19 pandemic, “an event that affected the general mental health of the population”. In addition, 33% of mothers and 26% of fathers also said they frequently “felt like they were running all day.”
Less coercion
The study also highlighted several positive changes in the parent-baby relationship. For example, for the 1997-1998 cohort, 19% of fathers engaged in parental coercion, that is, they shouted or became angry when their baby was difficult. This proportion increased to 12% in the most recent study. “There aren’t many surveys that can compare two cohorts over time, so it’s very interesting,” says M.me Doucet.
Worrying screen time among parents
One of the newly studied variables is the effect of parents’ screen time on their relationship with their baby. The study showed that one in five mothers spent five or more hours a day in front of a screen during the week outside of work. Among fathers, 12% of the week have this behavior. “Studies on the subject show that there could be an impact on child development,” notes M.me Doucet. The more hours parents spend in front of a screen each day, the lower the child’s level of development one year later. So, this is something that we will continue to follow. »
More engaged fathers
A large number of new fathers said they were very engaged with their newborns. 82% say they are present physically, emotionally and to play with their child. “This is important, because other research has shown that fathers’ involvement has a positive impact on children’s emotional and cognitive development, and on their academic success,” notes M.me Doucet. Reading is also part of many babies’ lives, the study notes. “At 5 months, almost 4 in 10 children (39%) were read to (or shown pictures or books without text) daily by an adult in the house,” report the researchers.