This study examines the association between childcare type and parental mental health, as well as the moderating role of household characteristics. Formal childcare refers to regulated provisions, such as nurseries and preschools, while informal childcare includes care provided by family members (excluding parents), babysitters, or friends. While formal childcare policies have primarily been studied in relation to parental labour force participation, their impact on parental mental health remains understudied. Using Understanding Society data from 2009 to 2019, we employ linear regression to examine how childcare type is associated with parental mental health, measured by the General Health Questionnaire. We apply inverse probability weighting using propensity scores to account for household characteristics, including household income, family structure, grandparental support, and migration status. Our sample consists of households with at least one child under six. We first use logistic regression to assess how household characteristics influence the type of childcare used. We then estimate the association between childcare type on parental mental health. Finally, we examine interaction effects to determine whether household characteristics moderate these associations. Preliminary findings suggest that childcare type may be associated with parental mental health and that household composition plays a role in this relationship. Further analyses will explore whether single-parent and two-parent families experience different effects. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of how childcare policies impact family well-being and highlight the need for targeted support for diverse family structures. By clarifying the link between childcare type and parental mental health, this study provides evidence to inform policies promoting formal childcare accessibility.

Co-authors

Dr Yushi Bai, University of Manchester;

Assistant Professor Honor Bixby, St George’s, University of London;

Dr Mario Martinez-Jimenez, Imperial College London;

Dr Sinziana-Ioana Oncioiu, University of Oxford