A recent large-scale study has revealed a significant decline in mothers’ mental health across socioeconomic groups between 2016 and 2023, raising urgent questions about the impact of intensive parenting practices on psychological well-being. Health and education experts in Thailand, where family and achievement hold central roles in society, are watching these findings closely for clues about parenting’s evolving pressures and how best to support families through them (Boston Globe).
In a groundbreaking analysis involving almost 200,000 mothers and data from the National Survey of Children’s Health, researchers observed the percentage of mothers reporting “excellent” mental health drop from 38.4% in 2016 to just 25.8% in 2023. Meanwhile, the prevalence of those rating their mental health as “fair” or “poor” rose from 5.5% to 8.5%. This decline cuts across mothers with children of all ages, from newborns to teenagers, and extends through varied economic backgrounds.
Such dramatic trends have prompted both international and Thai researchers to ponder whether changes in parenting culture—especially the rise of “overparenting”—may be compounding the already complex web of societal and psychological stressors that mothers face. Overparenting, also referred to as “intensive parenting,” involves parents’ constant attempts to optimize and control the emotional, social, and academic experiences of their children. This approach, while typically rooted in love and the desire to protect, may unwittingly burden both parents and children, fueling anxieties and undermining natural coping skills.
Parenting consultants and mental health specialists have noted that the phenomenon is not limited to any single demographic or country. The current generation of parents, often highly educated and accustomed to achievement-driven environments, bring a problem-solving mentality to raising children. According to a clinical psychologist interviewed for the Boston Globe article, this can translate into scrutinizing every aspect of a child’s life, obsessively researching online, and striving to shield children from every possible setback—often to the detriment of parental well-being.
The core of overparenting, according to experts, is rooted in two main beliefs: first, that negative emotions are inherently unsafe and should be avoided, and second, that parents are responsible for shaping every facet of their child’s life, including emotional responses. This dynamic leads to over-involvement in children’s experiences, from mediating disputes with teachers and coaches to providing extensive help with schoolwork. These behaviors, while well-intentioned, risk sending the message that children are incapable of handling challenges on their own.
Data shows that these tendencies are particularly pronounced among parents of children experiencing anxiety, with studies indicating that as many as 95% to 98% of such parents accommodate their children’s emotional distress in ways that may hinder resilience development. Even among families without clinically anxious children, about one in four parents report daily adjustments to shield their children from discomfort.
For Thailand, where academic performance and family harmony are deeply valued, the findings resonate. Many Thai parents—especially in urban middle-class and affluent families—invest heavily in their children’s academic and extracurricular achievements, often at significant emotional cost. According to a senior pediatric consultant at a leading Bangkok hospital, the immense focus on educational attainment, coupled with social media–driven pressures to display perfect family lives, has created a powerful backdrop for anxiety and parental self-doubt.
A director from the Department of Mental Health notes that while overparenting is often associated with higher socioeconomic backgrounds due to greater access to resources and healthcare, the underlying beliefs about child-rearing transcend class and are increasingly visible among Thai families. The desire to secure children’s future success, avoid failure at all costs, and shield young people from distressing experiences can be observed across Thai society. However, the opportunity to enact such intensive parenting may differ due to logistical and financial constraints.
Historically, Thai parenting was characterized by clear hierarchies and a balance between warmth and discipline, with extended families playing a prominent role in childrearing. The shift toward nuclear families and dual-income households, alongside the influence of Western educational theories and social media, has transformed how parents engage with their children. The notion that every childhood setback must be immediately remedied is relatively new, and some Thai child development experts express concerns that it may erode children’s independence and problem-solving skills.
A counselor from a prominent Bangkok international school highlights that social media perpetuates unrealistic comparisons and sets the expectation that “good” parents should micromanage every aspect of their children’s lives. This constant comparison can fuel guilt, burnout, and a sense of inadequacy among mothers in particular. She observes that many Thai mothers hesitate to set limits or allow their children to struggle with disappointment or failure, fearing judgment from peers or being seen as uncaring.
However, top Thai psychiatrists caution against oversimplifying the roots of maternal mental health decline. Structural issues such as economic pressures, lack of accessible childcare, and shifting cultural expectations also play major roles. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated many of these factors, but the continued downward trajectory in mothers’ mental well-being suggests that the problem is more deeply embedded in modern parenting culture.
Globally, evidence supports the idea that well-meaning efforts to buffer children from all harm can have unintended side effects for both parents and children. Researchers from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Psychology echo findings from the new U.S. study, noting that when parents overaccommodate children’s anxieties, youths may fail to develop the coping skills needed to handle difficulty later in life. Furthermore, mothers who feel compelled to suppress their own stress or negative feelings to maintain a perfect household are at elevated risk for depression and emotional exhaustion.
Several Thai child psychologists advocate for what they call a “love and limits” approach, emphasizing warmth, validation, and clear boundaries. For practical illustration, they describe everyday scenarios: when a child is upset over a poor grade or being cut from a sports team, the overparenting response is to intervene, correct the perceived injustice, or console the child by discrediting the source of disappointment. In contrast, the love-and-limits response involves acknowledging the child’s emotion, offering support, and encouraging self-reflection and problem-solving.
Experts advise parents and caregivers to resist the reflex to remove obstacles in children’s lives and instead build family habits that encourage both empathy and autonomy. For example, when children face a daunting school assignment, rather than sitting beside them and providing step-by-step help, parents might validate the difficulty and suggest strategies, while letting their children take ownership of the process. In Thai culture, where harmony and avoiding “loss of face” are prized, such changes may initially be uncomfortable, but experts argue they are necessary for building resilience in both generations.
For mothers experiencing symptoms of depression or burnout, Thai mental health professionals recommend seeking help through community resources, support groups, or professional counseling. Recent government initiatives, such as the expansion of maternal mental health screening at public health centers, reflect growing recognition of the issue. Nonetheless, public education campaigns and culturally sensitive guidance are needed to address the roots of stress in family life and recalibrate expectations of parental control.
Looking to the future, researchers stress the need for additional studies that account for cultural differences in parenting practices and mental health across countries, including Thailand. The current U.S. study did not conclusively link overparenting to deteriorating mental health, but it highlighted the urgency of exploring cultural factors and beliefs about parenting that influence both attitudes and behaviors. In Thailand, where family is at the heart of society, meaningful solutions must blend respect for cultural traditions with a willingness to adapt in response to new evidence.
Parents are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and responses when their children encounter distress, challenging themselves to tolerate both their children’s and their own discomfort at times. Well-designed public health campaigns, school-based mental health programs, and community workshops that discuss both the emotional needs of children and the importance of parent self-care could represent important steps forward for Thai society.
For Thai families eager for practical tips, experts recommend a gradual approach: allow children to experience and cope with small disappointments, model resilience by managing one’s own stress openly, invite conversations about feelings, and avoid the trap of constant comparison. Most importantly, parents should recognize that their children do not need to be protected from every negative feeling; rather, both generations can grow by learning to navigate—and even learn from—life’s challenges together.
While the pressures on modern Thai parents are undeniable, this latest major study offers an invitation to reflect on deeply held beliefs about success, failure, and the true foundations of family well-being. By balancing warmth with reasonable limits and striving for sustainable self-care, Thai families can nurture resilience in both children and parents, better preparing them for the demands of contemporary life.
For more information or support, Thai mothers and families can reach out to community health centers, mental health hotlines, and educational counselors, or visit online resources such as the Ministry of Public Health’s maternal mental health portal.