Paternity Leave For Dads Linked To Reduced Alcohol Abuse Risk: New Study

,

 / 

paternity leave for dads

Welcoming a new baby can be overwhelming, but a study from Sweden suggests that paternity leave for dads is linked to them being less likely to suffer from alcohol abuse.

The transition to parenthood can be daunting, with late-night feedings, constant crying, and sleepless nights. For some new fathers, the stress has led to excessive drinking.

In Sweden, where paid parental leave has been available since 1974, the proportion of fathers taking time off has increased from 1% to 30%. In 1995, when Swedish fathers were granted 30 days of paid leave, the percentage taking advantage of it spiked to 75%, leading to improvements in their mental health.

Today, parents in Sweden can take up to 480 days of job-protected paid leave, with 390 days reimbursed at around 80% of their income. This generous leave policy appears to have positive effects on new fathers.

In contrast, the United States lacks federal laws guaranteeing paid parental leave. While the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) provides up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for eligible employees, it falls short of Sweden’s benefits.

A recent study from Stockholm University’s Department of Public Health Sciences reveals a significant benefit for new fathers in Sweden who take paternity leave: a 34% decrease in alcohol-related hospitalizations in the two years after their child’s birth, with continued reductions up to 18 years later.

The study suggests that job-protected and adequately reimbursed parental leave offers fathers a respite during the challenging transition to parenthood, reducing behaviors like excessive alcohol consumption. Additionally, fathers who spend more time at home may practice greater self-regulation around their children, limiting opportunities for leisure-time drinking.

In the U.S., FMLA is only available to certain employees in specific states and is often at the discretion of employers based on company size and tenure.

The Swedish study followed over 220,000 first-time fathers over 18 years, tracking alcohol-related hospitalizations and deaths. These hospitalizations included issues related to intoxication, alcohol-related mental disorders, and alcohol-related diseases.

The researchers found a significant decline in alcohol-related hospitalizations among fathers who took paid leave within the first two years of their child’s birth. This reduction in alcohol-related emergencies persisted at both the eight-year and 18-year follow-up points.

The report highlights the role of “role overload” in stress and coping behaviors, including alcohol use, for parents balancing work and family life. Adequate employment-related and financial protections through parental leave can reduce stress, related coping behaviors, and ultimately improve mental health for new fathers.

In conclusion, the study underscores the benefits of paternity leave, emphasizing its potential to improve the well-being of new fathers during the challenging transition to parenthood.


— Share —

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Up Next

Stress Can Lead to Cortisol Belly: Here’s How to Fix It

paternity leave for dads

Stress can affect our lives in many ways, from our mental health to our relationships, but it can also lead to physical symptoms such as โ€˜cortisol bellyโ€™. Cortisol belly, named after the stress hormone, has been widely discussed on social platforms such as TikTok, with users and experts explaining how it occurs, and theorizing what could be done about it.

While you may not have heard of the term โ€˜cortisol bellyโ€™ before, you might have heard of stubborn belly fat or stress belly, which are essentially the same thing. This is because it refers to the accumulation of visceral adipose tissue around the stomach, which has been linked to prolonged exposure to elevated levels of the stress hormone, cortisol.

What Is Cortisol Belly?

According to dietitian

Up Next

Study Reveals the Complex Relationship Between Calorie Restriction and Longevity

paternity leave for dads

For years, scientists have speculated that consuming fewer calories might help people live longer. A recent study has shed new light on this topic, suggesting that the relationship between calorie restriction and longevity is more complex than previously thought.

“We’ve known for nearly 100 years that calorie restriction can extend healthy lifespan in a variety of laboratory animals,” stated one researcher last year to CNN.

However, the new study seems to indicate a more intricate relationship between calorie restriction and living to a ripe old age.

“There are many reasons why caloric restriction may extend human lifespans, and the topic is still being studied,” explained Waylon Hastings, lead author of the study and postdoctoral researcher. “One primary mechanism through which life is extended relates t

Up Next

Exercise Cuts Heart Disease Risk by Lowering Stress, Study Finds

paternity leave for dads

New research indicates that physical activity lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease, in part by reducing stress-related signaling in the brain. The study, led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, found that people with stress-related conditions such as depression experienced the most cardiovascular benefits from physical activity.

To assess the mechanisms underlying the psychological and cardiovascular disease benefits of physical activity, Ahmed Tawakol, an investigator and cardiologist in the Cardiovascular Imaging Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, and his colleagues analyzed medical records and other information of 50,359 participants from the Mass General Brigham Biobank who completed a physical activity survey.

A subset of 774 participants also underw

Up Next

Lack of Sleep Linked to Rising Cases of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease, Warns Expert

paternity leave for dads

In a recent revelation, lack of adequate sleep has been associated with a concerning rise in cases of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), according to insights shared by medical experts. As sleep deprivation continues to plague a significant portion of the population, the implications on public health are becoming increasingly alarming.

More than a third of adults in the United States fail to attain the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night, a trend that has sparked growing concerns among healthcare professionals. The scarcity of shuteye, it turns out, can have profound effects beyond daytime fatigue and drowsiness.

What is Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease?

According to Ibrahim Hanouneh, a gastroenterologist with

Up Next

Study Explores Impact of Residential Green Space on Childhood Mental Health

paternity leave for dads

A recent study published in JAMA Network Open investigates the relationship between residential green space and externalizing and internalizing symptoms in children. Conducted in the United States, the study aims to identify potential factors that can mitigate risks associated with childhood mental health disorders.

According to the study, up to 40% of children in the US may meet the criteria for mental disorders by adulthood, with an increased prevalence of externalizing (e.g., rule-breaking and aggression) and internalizing (e.g., depression and anxiety) symptoms.

Researchers suggest that environmental factors, such as green spa

Up Next

Study Links Volatile Work Hours to Burnout and Health Issues

paternity leave for dads

A recent study conducted by NYU Social Work professor Wen-Jui Han has shed light on the detrimental effects of volatile work hours on both physical and mental health. The research, which analyzed data spanning over 30 years, found a significant correlation between irregular work hours and increased health concerns.

The study, which examined the work schedules and sleep patterns of over 7,000 Americans, revealed that individuals working rotating shifts were more prone to health problems such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. The primary factor contributing to these issues was identified as a disruption in sleep patterns caused by inconsistent work schedules.

Jamaica Shiers, a representative from Path Behavioral Health in Salt Lake City, emphasized the prevalence of burnout among adults, attributing it to the pressure to maintain peak performance at al

Up Next

New Study Suggests Balanced Diet Better Than Vegetarian Diet for Brain Health

paternity leave for dads

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Mental Health, researchers have shed light on the relationship between dietary patterns and brain health. The study suggests that a balanced diet, comprising various food types, may be superior to a vegetarian diet in supporting mental well-being and cognitive function.

The research, which analyzed data from nearly 182,000 participants, focused on four main dietary patterns: starch-free/reduced starch, vegetarian, high-protein/low-fiber, and balanced diet. Participants’ food preferences were examined in categories such as fruits, vegetables, starches, protein, and snacks.