Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Health Affairs, 43(5), 707–716. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00742 Dr. Ellie Bostwick Andres et al.
Points
- In July 2020, Hong Kong extended statutory paid maternity leave from ten to fourteen weeks, aligning with International Labour Organization standards, offering a natural experiment to study maternal mental health.
- The study involving 1,414 participants found a 22% decrease in postnatal depressive symptoms and a 33% reduction in emotional well-being interference among mothers benefiting from the extended leave.
- Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, researchers observed improved mental health outcomes in first-time mothers in skilled occupations before and after the policy change.
- The findings suggest that even a modest increase in paid maternity leave duration can lead to significant mental health benefits for new mothers.
- The study advocates for policy reforms extending paid maternity leave, highlighting its public health benefits and potential to improve maternal well-being and workforce retention.
Summary
In July 2020, Hong Kong implemented a significant policy shift by extending statutory paid maternity leave from ten to fourteen weeks, aligning with International Labour Organization standards. Researchers leveraged this policy change as a natural experiment to explore its impact on maternal mental health, focusing on the prevalence of probable postnatal depression and overall emotional well-being among new mothers. The study involved 1,414 participants, comparing outcomes before and after the policy’s enactment, using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Results indicated a 22% decrease in postnatal depressive symptoms and a 33% reduction in emotional well-being interference among those who benefited from the extended leave.
The research methodology entailed an opportunistic observational study design, recruiting respondents who had given birth within specific windows before and after the policy implementation. The sample comprised primarily first-time mothers in skilled occupations, reflecting a demographic likely impacted by changes in maternity leave policies. The study underscored the relationship between extended paid maternity leave and improved mental health outcomes, suggesting that even a modest increase in leave duration could have substantial mental health benefits for new mothers.
The findings of this study advocate for policy adjustments that extend paid maternity leave, emphasizing the potential public health implications. The study supports broader policy reforms to enhance maternal well-being and workforce retention by illustrating significant improvements in mental health outcomes linked to extended leave. The data reinforces the need for policies sensitive to working mothers’ challenges, potentially guiding future legislative changes to benefit both families and the broader socio-economic landscape.
Link to the article: https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00742
References Andres, E. B., Du, X., Pang, S. S. L., Liang, J. N., Ye, J., Lee, M. H., Tarrant, M., Yung, S. S.-F., Johnston, J. M., Lok, K. Y. W., & Quan, J. (2024). Extended Paid Maternity Leave Associated With Improved Maternal Mental Health In Hong Kong. Health Affairs, 43(5), 707–716. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2023.00742
