Twins visiting Everland on Twins Day (Image provided by Everland)
Over 30% of New Mothers of Twins in South Korea Suffer from Severe Depression, Survey Finds
SEOUL, June 24 (Korea Bizwire) – A new survey reveals that more than 30 percent of South Korean mothers within 12 weeks of delivering twins are experiencing severe postpartum depression, underscoring the urgent need for greater mental health support for parents of multiples.
The findings, released Sunday by the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association, are based on screenings conducted between May 23 and June 11 of 459 parents either expecting twins or currently raising them. The association used PHQ-9 and the Korean version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS-K) to assess depressive symptoms.
Among expectant mothers of twins, 20.4 percent were diagnosed with depression, including 9.3 percent with mild symptoms and 8.3 percent with severe depression. However, the numbers rose sharply for mothers within 12 weeks of childbirth: 39.5 percent reported depressive symptoms, and notably, 30.2 percent were classified as experiencing severe depression—nearly four times the rate observed among pregnant women.
When accounting for all mothers currently raising twins, regardless of the postpartum period, 55.1 percent exhibited some level of depressive symptoms. The breakdown included 27.3 percent with mild symptoms, 11.5 percent with mild depression, 9.7 percent with severe depression, and 6.6 percent with moderate depression.
Fathers of twins also showed concerning levels of mental strain. According to the survey, 37.7 percent of twin-raising fathers exhibited depressive tendencies, with 26 percent experiencing mild symptoms, 9.1 percent mild depression, and 2.6 percent severe depression.
Lee Sam-sik, president of the Korea Population, Health and Welfare Association, said the results clearly demonstrate the psychological toll that twin pregnancies and parenting can place on both mothers and fathers. “These findings highlight the need for stronger emotional and psychological support systems for parents of multiples,” he said. “We will continue working with our ‘Twin Family Happiness Network’ to ease the burdens of child-rearing.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
