Period product insecurity, parenting stress, and mental health: A cross-sectional study examining anxiety and depressive symptoms among caregivers of young children.

内容摘要

BackgroundPeriod product insecurity is an emerging form of material hardship with significant implications for mental health. Previous research has shown that financial challenges related to accessing material basic needs hygiene products can increase stress and anxiety.ObjectivesThis study aims to examine the relationship between frequencies of period product insecurity, parenting stress, and mental health outcomes in caregivers with young children.DesignThe study uses cross-sectional survey data from participants (N=541) who menstruated in the past year and were caregivers of children under age four. Data were collected during completion of an online survey from March - April 2024.MethodParticipants reported experiences with period product insecurity and completed standardized measures of anxiety and depression (GAD-2 and PHQ-2). Logistic regression models, adjusting for sociodemographic factors, estimated the association between period product insecurity frequency, parenting stress, and mental health outcomes.ResultsAmong participants, 39.5% (n=214) endorsed period product insecurity at least once in the past year. The majority of caregivers with young children who experienced period product insecurity monthly reported symptoms of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (68.4%, n=156) or major depressive disorder (72.3%, n=112). Fewer caregivers who did not experience period product insecurity reported symptoms (Generalized Anxiety Disorder 27.0%, n=87; major depressive disorder 27.1%, n=87). More than half of all caregivers "completely agree" or "agree" that they felt stressed or anxious about the responsibilities that come with parenting/caretaking (57.7%, n=308). Monthly experiences of period product insecurity, and stress about parenting responsibilities, increased risk of symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with no period product insecurity (p<.001).ConclusionFuture research is needed to strengthen the evidence base to better understand the causal pathways between period product insecurity and caregiver mental health. In the meantime, interventions and policy measures could be explored to integrate both period product distribution and parenting supports within broader caregiver support systems. Why we did this study: Being a parent can be very stressful, so can worrying about how to pay for basic essentials like period products (including pads and tampons). Not being able to afford period products is called period product insecurity or period poverty. Parents&#x2019; mental health can impact how they parent their children. What we wanted to learn: We wanted to understand if there is a connection between not being able to afford period products, feeling stressed about parenting responsibilities, and the mental health of caregivers with young children. What we did: From March 2024 to April 2024, 541 caregivers who had menstruated in the past year and lived with a child under age four completed an online survey. Survey questions asked whether participants had trouble affording period products like pads or tampons, how often that happened, whether they felt stressed about caregiving responsibilities, and whether they experienced symptoms of anxiety or depression. What we learned: 40% of caregivers said they had struggled to afford period products in the past year, and 29% said it happened every month. Caregivers who experienced period product insecurity monthly were much more likely to report parenting stress and symptoms of anxiety and depression, even after considering other factors like income and employment. Why is this important: Struggling to afford period products can contribute to serious mental health challenges for caregivers of young children. This can make it hard for caregivers to be the parents they want to be for their children. We need the people who make the laws for our states and country and decide how to spend the government&#x2019;s money to use policies and funding to make free period products available to caregivers with young children. This could help reduce stress, improve mental health, and support families raising young children.