Postpartum Depression and the Motherhood Penalty

Bhalotra. Sonia, N. Meltem Daysal, Louis Freget, Jonas Cuzulan Hirani, Priyama Majumdar, Mircea Trandafir, Miriam Wust and Tom Zohar
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Bhalotra. Sonia: University of Warwick
N. Meltem Daysal: University of Copenhagen
Louis Freget: Paris-Dauphine PSL
Jonas Cuzulan Hirani: VIVE
Priyama Majumdar: University of Warwick
Mircea Trandafir: Rockwool Foundation
Miriam Wust: University of Copenhagen
Tom Zohar: CEMFI

The Warwick Economics Research Paper Series (TWERPS) from University of Warwick, Department of Economics

Abstract: Using Danish administrative data linked to two independent, validated postpartum depression screenings, we study how postpartum mental health shocks shape women’s labor market trajectories. Event-study estimates show no pre-birth differences in trends between depressed and non-depressed mothers, but persistent employment gaps that widen immediately after birth. Health-care utilization patterns indicate that these differences reflect acute mental health shocks rather than pre-existing trends. The penalties are concentrated among less educated mothers and those in less family-friendly jobs. Our results highlight postpartum depression as a meaningful and unequal contributor to the motherhood penalty.

Keywords: Postpartum depression; motherhood penalty; labor market inequality JEL codes: I12; J13; J16 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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