According to researchers, parents, who believe in including intensive parenthood or whose lives revolve around their children, face the risk of several types of mental illnesses including depression.

Researchers at the University of Mary Washington, Virginia in the US studied responses from 181 women with children under five and concluded that intensive parenting had damaged their health. Psychologists say that `helicopter parenting', which is a phenomenon where mothers are excessively involved in the children's lives, could leave the child unable to cope with several experiences.

Researchers said that intensive mothering includes women who believe that women are better parents, mothering should revolve around the child's needs and children should be seen as `sacred, delightful and fulfilling' by their parents.

It was found that several mothers are trying to be perfect at parenting and this is making their life miserable and increasing health risks. They found that women who believed women make better parents and did not allow others to take care of the baby, were found to be less satisfied with their lives and those who believed that parenting is a challenge and requires skills, were found to be more stressful.

Psychologist Kathryn Rizzo, the lead author said, "If intensive mothering is related to so many negative mental health outcomes, why do women do it? They may think that it makes them better mothers, so they are willing to sacrifice their own mental health to enhance their children's cognitive, social and emotional outcomes."

The findings are published online in the Journal of Child and Family Studies.