Having Boys May Reduce Mother's Quality Of Life

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London, Even if a woman faced no cultural pressure over the sex of her child, giving birth to a boy is more likely to reduce her quality of life than having a girl.

Researchers from France's Nance University claim that mothers of newly-born boys were more susceptible to post-natal depression than those of baby girls.

Nine per cent of the 181 women examined during the study suffered from severe post-natal depression (PND), four to eight weeks after delivery.

The study also suggested that a mother's attitude towards her son may be shaped by her relationship with present and past male figures.

''Depressed mothers who are often in difficult marital relationships might respond more negatively to their sons,'' Daily Mail quoted lead researcher Claude de Tychey as saying.

''PND is very common and poses a major public health problem, especially if it is not diagnosed and treated,'' said Professor de Tychey.

Gender plays a significant role in reduced quality of life as well as an increased chance of severe PND, the study concluded.