Fathers experience more well-being from parenthood than mothers do, according to a study of over 18,000 people. Past studies have considered whether people with children have greater well-being than those without kids.

However, few have considered the relative happiness of fathers and mothers, according to the study published in the journal Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin . Researchers from the University of California (UC) Riverside in the US and colleagues analysed three separate studies totalling more than 18,000 people to determine whether fathers or mothers experience greater happiness from their parenting roles.

Across the three studies, researchers looked at measures of well-being that included happiness, well-being, depressive symptoms, psychological satisfaction, and stress.

comment COMMENT NOW