Study: Mothers bear majority of household's "mental load"
A new study from German insurer hkk Krankenkasse and the forsa institute reveals that mothers perform a disproportionate amount of household's invisible planning work, leading to higher stress levels.
Bremen – October 9, 2025 – A representative study conducted by hkk Krankenkasse in cooperation with the forsa institute reveals that mothers bear a disproportionate share of household management and planning, a phenomenon referred to as "mental load."
The study, which surveyed 1,002 mothers and 502 fathers of children under 18, found that mothers overwhelmingly handle most domestic chores and organizational tasks. These include laundry (81 percent), cleaning (69 percent), and organizing doctor's appointments (90 percent) or children's birthdays (89 percent).
Mental Load expert Patricia Cammarata explains that this invisible cognitive labor, which keeps daily life running, consumes significant energy. 63 percent of mothers report being solely responsible for family life more than half the days, with 30 percent feeling often overwhelmed. Corresponding figures for fathers were considerably lower (11 percent).
The mental load directly impacts health. 62 percent of mothers find this invisible burden a major strain, compared to only 31 percent of fathers. Over half of mothers (53 percent) report difficulty mentally disconnecting. The study found mothers report significantly more frequent physical ailments and psychological symptoms, such as nervousness and persistent worry, than fathers.
The research underscores the need to recognize and equalize this burden. Cammarata emphasizes that simply delegating individual tasks is insufficient; transferring entire areas of responsibility is crucial. Additionally, hkk Krankenkasse supports employers through corporate health management programs, promoting employee mental well-being and a healthy work-life balance.