Reference: Nelson-Coffey, S. K., Killingsworth, M., Layous, K., Cole, S. W., & Lyubomirsky, S. (2019). Parenthood Is Associated With Greater Well-Being for Fathers Than Mothers. Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin, 45(9), 1378–1390. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167219829174 Who feels better about parenthood and has a greater feeling of well-being, mothers or fathers? Psychologists examined gender differences in parents’ well-being. 18,000 participants took several assessment measures on gender differences in parents’ global well-being, psychological need satisfaction, and stress levels. In the first two studies, they compared the well-being of mothers and fathers with their respective peers who had no children. In the third study, researchers examined how gender related to states of happiness in mothers and fathers while caring for or spending time with their children. They compared fathers and mothers, parents and nonparents, while engaged in caregiving compared to engaging in other daily activities. Results? Mothers were less happy compared to women without children and fathers with their children, perhaps because they had more responsibility for child and household care. Fathers reported greater happiness overall, relative to men without children, especially when playing with their children, and compared to their other daily activities and when compared to women. Children will thrive if both parents have equal responsibility and joy in raising children. In the spirit of Father’s Day weekend, let’s all celebrate fathers and take time to have fun with our kids!

Written by Kristin Harris, Ph.D.