Qual Life Res. 2026 Jul 23;35(9):232. doi: 10.1007/s11136-026-04339-0.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Maternal mental health has been linked to a range of offspring outcomes; however, population-based evidence examining intergenerational associations across multiple health-related quality of life (HRQoL) domains over the life course remains limited. This study examines associations between maternal mental health and offspring HRQoL using nationally representative longitudinal data from Australia.
METHODS: We used data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey. The analytic sample comprised 8,737 offspring linked to 4,966 mothers. Three offspring’s HRQoL outcomes were examined: mental health and general health domain of the SF-36 instrument and the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. Maternal mental health was measured using the SF-36 mental health domain. Associations were estimated using weighted linear regression models with standard errors clustered at the maternal level, adjusting for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Gender differences were examined using interaction terms.
RESULTS: Higher maternal mental health was significantly associated with better offspring mental health in fully adjusted models (β = 0.485 SD, p < 0.001). Higher maternal mental health was also associated with better offspring general health (β = 0.458 SD, p < 0.001). For psychological distress, higher maternal psychological distress was associated with higher offspring psychological distress (β = 0.419 SD, p < 0.001). Higher maternal mental health was also positively associated with offspring psychological distress (β = 0.216 SD, p < 0.001); however, this reflects differences in measurement constructs (higher distress scores indicate worse outcomes) and should be interpreted cautiously. Associations remained statistically significant after covariate adjustment and did not differ by offspring gender.
CONCLUSIONS: Maternal mental health is associated with multiple dimensions of offspring HRQoL across the life course. These findings highlight maternal mental health as an important correlate of offspring health and underscore the relevance of family-centred, preventive strategies aimed at reducing intergenerational inequalities in mental health.
PMID:42493691 | DOI:10.1007/s11136-026-04339-0
