Motherhood Matrix Study Also Finds 35% of
Mothers Currently Struggle with Moderate to Severe Levels of
Anxiety, with Gen Z Moms Most Apt to Cite Anxiety Issues
Results Point to the Need for Brands to
Feature Positive, Supportive Content to Effectively Connect
Everyday Health Group Pregnancy & Parenting (EHG P&P), a
division of the Everyday Health Group – and home to BabyCenter and
What to Expect – today released its Motherhood Matrix Study,
revealing that moms are currently experiencing deep-seated
pressures and anxiety. The research surveyed 3,232 moms across the
U.S., finding that even though the pandemic seems to be receding
and lives are returning to pre-pandemic patterns, moms are more,
rather than less, likely to feel increased pressure.
https://www.whattoexpect.com/news/first-year/survey-moms-feel-more-pressure-pandemic
American moms’ rate of anxiety is on-par with rates reached
early in the pandemic (April 2020). Over two-thirds (68%) say they
are experiencing anxiety, with more than a third (35%) reporting
current levels as “moderate” to “severe."
Gen Z moms are most likely to say they are wrestling with
anxiety (79%), and nearly half (45%) report moderate to severe
anxiety. Their Millennial cohorts are struggling as well, although
not as acutely. Under two-thirds (64%) say they are experiencing
some level of anxiety, and under a third (32%) label it as
“moderate” to “severe.”
Analyzing Moms’ Anxiety
The combination of family finances and inflation are the biggest
contributors to high anxiety levels (71%). For example, 39 percent
of moms report that they are troubled by rising gas prices – more
than those concerned about their children’s sleep habits (26%).
Second to money worries are feeling the pressure to be at home to
follow and guide their child’s developmental and emotional progress
(67%).
“We’d assumed mom would begin feeling less anxious as pandemic
restrictions lifted, but these findings tell us a different story,”
said Christine Mattheis, Vice President, Editorial Director, EHG
P&P. “Instead, moms are just as stressed out today as they were
back in April 2020, with inflation, isolation, and the cost of
raising a baby fueling their anxiety.”
Most moms (75%) say they don't have enough support in the form
of a “village.” Today more than ever, moms state that extended
family is less likely to live nearby to help (+21% vs. 2019).
However, even for those with a “village,” all is not well. While
Gen Z is more likely to have a parenting support system, compared
to Millennial moms, they are also more likely (as noted above) to
report higher anxiety levels. One potential cause: Gen Z mothers’
tendency to vigorously strive to meet parenting ideals. When asked
to review 25 different parenting ideals – from “keeping the kids
busy with activities” to “maintaining a clean and tidy home” – Gen
Z moms consistently aspired to reach greater heights than their
Millennial counterparts.
“Most parents of young children who I work with are dealing with
stress and worry about their children’s development and behavior,”
said Kelley Yost Abrams, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist and a
member of the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board. “The pressure and
anxiety overall for parents more recently since the COVID-19
pandemic, however, has significantly increased. Parents today are
under more financial strain, have experienced more loss and trauma,
and are seeing more challenging behaviors and developmental delays
in their children.”
Brand Aid for Moms
When asked what they think of parenting/pregnancy advertising,
social media posts, or online content, moms clearly want brands to
help offset some of the pressure and stress they are enduring. Top
preferences include content and messaging that:
- Showcases real moms (65%)
- Is educational/informational (61%)
- Is uplifting/positive (55%)
Perhaps unsurprisingly, due to their higher anxiety levels, 53
percent of Gen Z mothers also cited wanting to see ads, social
posts, and other parenting and pregnancy content that “gives them
peace of mind.” In sharp comparison, 43 percent of Millennial moms
and 31 percent of Gen X moms said the same.
“Motherhood has always offered challenges along with rewards,
but this research shows that the challenges are becoming
exceptionally stressful for today’s moms – and brands need to pay
attention,” said Michele Calhoun, Global Chief Revenue Officer, EHG
P&P. “Moms are not in a place to respond well to overly
prescriptive messaging. By focusing on creating supportive,
positive content, marketers have an opportunity to be seen as true
allies.”
The complete Motherhood Matrix Study: Navigating High Anxiety is
available upon request at
motherhoodmatrix@everydayhealthgroup.com.
Methodology
Everyday Health Group Pregnancy & Parenting, Motherhood
Matrix Study, October 2022. Respondents were U.S. women aged 18-54
who were pregnant or have a child 0 to 8 years old, totaling 3,232
responses.
About Everyday Health Group Pregnancy & Parenting
Everyday Health Group Pregnancy & Parenting (EHG P&P), a
division of Everyday Health Group, is home to BabyCenter and What
to Expect, the world’s most iconic and trusted pregnancy and
parenting brands. Guided by a medical advisory board and pregnancy
and parenting health experts, EHG P&P delivers award-winning
content to support and empower parents at every stage of pregnancy
and child development. Our global websites, mobile apps, online
communities, and social platforms reach millions of families around
the world, including 91% of first-time expecting moms and more than
85% of all expecting parents in the U.S., to create a world of
healthy pregnancies, thriving children, and confident parents.
About Everyday Health Group
Everyday Health Group is a recognized leader in patient and
provider education, attracting an engaged audience of over 74
million health consumers and over 890,000 U.S. practicing
physicians and clinicians to its premier health and wellness
digital properties. Our mission is to drive better clinical and
health outcomes through decision-making informed by highly relevant
information, data, and analytics. We empower healthcare providers
and consumers with trusted content and services delivered through
Everyday Health Group’s world-class brands.
Everyday Health Group is a division of Ziff Davis Inc. (NASDAQ:
ZD).
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221013005158/en/
Laura Goldberg LBG Public Relations for Everyday Health Group
Pregnancy & Parenting Laura@LBGPR.com +1-347-683-1859
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