Investigating the link between sleep and postpartum depression in fathers utilizing subjective and objective sleep measures

Abstract

Background While fathers are at risk of developing poorer sleep and depressive symptoms in the postpartum period, they represent an understudied population in the literature. The present study aimed to explore the association between sleep and postpartum depressive symptoms in fathers using subjective and objective sleep measures. Methods Fifty-four fathers reporting no history of depression took part in this cross-sectional study. At 6 months postpartum, paternal sleep was assessed for 2 weeks utilizing a self-report daily sleep diary, a self-report perceived sleep quality rating, and actigraphy. In the same period, depressive symptoms in fathers were assessed with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D). Results Regression analyses showed that paternal subjective sleep variables captured by the sleep diary (total nocturnal sleep time and number of night awakenings) were not related to postpartum depressive symptoms. However, self-reported perceived sleep quality was significantly associated with postpartum depressive symptom severity in fathers independently of demographic variables related to depression. Alternatively, the objective sleep variables (total nocturnal sleep time, number of night awakenings, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset), measured by actigraphy, did not demonstrate a significant relationship with paternal depression scores. Conclusions These findings highlight the importance of perceived sleep quality, along with better understanding its association with postpartum depressive symptoms. Implementing a multi-measure approach enabled us to expand our knowledge about how different facets of sleep relate to postpartum depression, specifically in fathers. The results have important implications for the development of clinical interventions targeting paternal sleep and mood in the postpartum period.

Risk factors of paternal postnatal depression in Pakistan: Findings from an urban sample

“…A link between sleep disturbances and paternal postnatal depression has been well documented (Da Costa et al, 2015; Kalogeropoulos et al, 2021). This study also found sleep disturbance to be a risk factor of paternal postnatal depression in Pakistani men.…”

“…This study also found sleep disturbance to be a risk factor of paternal postnatal depression in Pakistani men. Kalogeropoulos et al investigated the association between sleep and postnatal depressive symptoms in 54 Canadian fathers (previously not diagnosed with depression) using subjective and objective sleep measures and found that self‐reported perceived sleep quality was significantly associated with paternal postnatal depression, with first‐time fathers more likely to suffer from depression due to sleep disturbances in the postnatal period (Kalogeropoulos et al, 2021). Despite not having a direct role in caring responsibilities of the newborn, 33% of the fathers in our study reported sleep disturbances during the postnatal period.…”

“…Besides maternal depression, numerous studies have also identified economic factors, such as low income and unemployment as some of the risk factors of paternal postnatal depression (Carlberg et al, 2018; Da Costa et al, 2019). Sleep disturbance, marital conflict, low income, unplanned pregnancy, preference for a male child, antenatal depression, and a history of previous psychiatric illness have also been implied as possible risk factors for paternal postnatal depression (Chhabra et al, 2020; Kalogeropoulos et al, 2021).…”

The Association of Multidimensional Sleep Health With HbA1c and Depressive Symptoms in African American Adults With Type 2 Diabetes

“…More specifically, participants with poor satisfaction had a 3.1-fold increased likelihood of experiencing greater than minimal depressive symptoms, whereas those with lower alertness had a 1.9-fold increased likelihood of experiencing greater than minimal depressive symptoms. Previous studies reported that poor subjective sleep satisfaction was associated with postpartum depression in mothers, but objectively measured sleep data, including sleep duration, efficiency, and disturbances, were not associated with depressive symptoms (55,56). Taken together, these findings suggest that individuals’ perception of sleep may be more salient for depressive symptoms than objective measures of sleep.…”

Paternal perinatal depression: A concept analysis

“…The Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10) (Kessler et al, 2002) Infant issues are one of the antecedents of perinatal depression in fathers. Parenting can be challenging for first-time fathers, which lack parenting skills and experience (Kalogeropoulos et al, 2021). A child crying and disrupting the rhythm of life could cause sleep problems for the father and lead to depressed moods.…”