Perceptions of parenting among parents who regret having a child: a mixed-methods study

ABSTRACT

Regretting the decision to have a child is under-researched. In the present study, a mixed methodology was used to compare the perspective of parents who regretted the decision to have a child (n = 24, 62% of women, age M = 33.42, SD = 4.89) with parents who thought the decision was a good one (n = 35, 51% of women, M = 34.71, SD = 4.43). Parents participated in an in-depth interview about their experiences before having a child; the pregnancy and postpartum period; and thereafter. Questionnaires were administered to measure the severity of childhood trauma; symptoms of mental health difficulties; and the Big Five personality traits. The results showed differences between parents in both groups. Regretting parents experienced more severe childhood abuse and neglect; had more mental health problems; and were less agreeable. There were also differences in the perceptions of parenting and parental experiences of regretting and non-regretting parents during the above-mentioned stages. These were related to childhood maltreatment, mental health, and, to a lesser extent, personality traits.

KEYWORDS:

• Childhood trauma
• interview
• mixed study
• mental health
• personality
• parenthood regret

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by a grant awarded to the first author by the National Science Center, Poland (Project: Why do some parents regret having children? A pilot study with the use of mixed methods; grant number 2020/04/X/HS6/00285).