Perinatal Distress in Fathers: Toward a Gender-Based Screening of Paternal Perinatal Depressive and Affective Disorders

Baldoni, Franco; Giannotti, Michele

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01892

Cited by 38 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 47 publications

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“…According to our results, fathers in this cluster could also show somatization symptoms experiencing the perception of physical dysfunction. This is consistent with previous studies showing that new fathers can express physical distress through somatic complaints and abnormal illness behaviors (the so-called Couvade Syndrome), which are considered to be part of the complex clinical picture of paternal perinatal distress [8,37].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…In the last decades, an ever-growing number of studies have addressed the impact of transition to parenthood on fathers’ mental health [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]; however, evidence to propose an appropriate gender-based screening for fathers is lacking [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 ]. In this regard, Walsh, Davis, and Garfield [ 9 ] highlighted the urgency of increased attention to screening for Paternal Perinatal Depression (PPND), stating that it is inappropriate to consider the identification, prevention, and treatment interventions of PPND as optional.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to the masked depression framework, PPND signs and clinical expression are different from those observed in Maternal Perinatal Depression (MPND), since men often exhibit externalizing symptoms defined as depressive equivalents to hide their depression condition [ 8 , 29 ]. In fact, depressive symptoms can be milder and less defined and are often comorbid with anxiety, somatic symptoms and complaints, hostility and/or anger attacks, substance use (alcohol and drugs), or other addictions or risky behaviors (e.g., gambling, compulsive use of computer/smartphone, or internet, driving very fast, extra marital affairs) [ 8 , 30 , 31 ]. For this reason, Baldoni [ 32 ] proposed to replace the term PPND with Paternal Perinatal Affective Disorder (PPAD) using a more inclusive definition to embrace the broad range of depressive symptoms related to male psychological perinatal distress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Screening for Early Signs of Paternal Perinatal Affective Disorder in Expectant Fathers: A Cluster Analysis Approach

Mangialavori

Giannotti

Cacioppo

et al. 2020

JPM

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Previous studies documented gender-related differences in the expression of Perinatal Affective Disorders. However, little attention has been paid to screening the male population during the perinatal period. This study was based on three aims: (1) to investigate the mental health of expectant fathers based on their levels of depression, anxiety, addiction, anger attacks/hostility, and somatization, identifying psychological profiles; (2) to analyze the association between these profiles and the individual variable of perceived stress; (3) and to examine the association between these profiles and the couple’s variable of marital adjustment. A total of 350 Italian expectant fathers in the last trimester of pregnancy were asked to fill in questionnaires concerning perceived stress, dyadic adjustment, psychiatric symptomatology, and depression. Three different clusters were found: “psychologically healthy men” (68%) with low levels of symptoms on all the scales; “men at risk of externalized behavioral problems” (17.1%), characterized by one or more addictive or risky behaviors and moderate levels of scales scores; and “men experiencing psychological distress” (14.9%), with the highest scores on all the scales. A significant association emerged among the perceived stress, marital adjustment, and cluster membership. These results highlight the importance of screening fathers in perinatal health services, which are still predominantly mother-centered, and underscore the necessity to create tailored and personalized interventions.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Screening for Early Signs of Paternal Perinatal Affective Disorder in Expectant Fathers: A Cluster Analysis Approach

Mangialavori

Giannotti

Cacioppo

et al. 2020

JPM

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“…Negative emotionality in the prenatal period has further been associated with higher irritability or anger and gender role stress in both women and men (105,106). However, expression of distress might differ in women and men (107). In particular, men might be socialized based on traditional gender norms in a way that discourages them from reporting impaired mood or negative affect.…”

Section: Associations With Psychosocial Factorsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since previous research indicates that men might tend to express anxious-depressive mood more often in externalizing behavior [e.g., (107)], hostility was included as a potential associated factor. Despite a positive bivariate correlation, hostility did not significantly explain variance in pregnancy-related concerns in multivariate analysis.…”

Section: Associations With the Included Variablesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Manifestation and Associated Factors of Pregnancy-Related Worries in Expectant Fathers

et al. 2020

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Background: During the last decades, fathers have increasingly participated in prenatal care, birth preparation classes, and childbirth. However, comparably little is known about the prenatal emotional well-being of fathers, particularly content and extent of broader paternal concerns that may arise during pregnancy beyond those focusing on childbirth. Thus, the aims of this study were to investigate the manifestation of paternal pregnancy-related worries in a population-based sample and to identify relevant associated factors.Materials and Methods: As part of a longitudinal pregnancy cohort at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany, N = 129 expectant fathers were assessed once during pregnancy. Pregnancy-related worries centering around medical procedures, childbirth, health of the baby, as well as socioeconomic aspects were assessed with the Cambridge Worry Scale (CWS). Additionally, paternal socioeconomic background and maternal obstetrical history, symptoms of generalized anxiety and depression, and level of hostility were investigated, as well as perceived social support. The cross-sectional data were analyzed based on multiple regression analyses.Results: The level of reported worries was overall low. Some fathers reported major worries for individual aspects like the health of a significant other (10.9%) and the baby (10.1%), as well as the current financial (6.2%) and employment situation (8.5%). Pregnancy-related worries were negatively associated with household income and positively associated with anxious and depressive symptoms and low perceived social support. Associations varied for specific pregnancy-related worries.Limitations: Due to the cross-sectional data examined in this study, a causal interpretation of the results is not possible. The sample was rather homogeneous regarding its socioeconomic background. More research needs to be done in larger, more heterogeneous samples.Conclusion: Though overall worries were rather low in this sample, specific major worries could be identified. Hence, addressing those fathers reporting major worries regarding specific aspects already in prenatal care might support their psychosocial adjustment. Fathers with little income, those with elevated levels of general anxious and depressive symptoms, and those with less social support reported higher pregnancy-related worries. Our results indicate the relevance of concerns beyond health- and birth-related aspects that could be relevant for fathers. Measurements developed specifically for expectant fathers are needed to properly capture their perspective already during pregnancy.

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Association of a Family Integrated Care Model With Paternal Mental Health Outcomes During Neonatal Hospitalization

et al. 2022

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Key Points Question Is there an association between the neonatal care setting—a family integrated care (FICare) model in single family rooms with complete couplet-care for the mother-newborn dyad vs standard neonatal care in open bay units—and mental health and participation outcomes among fathers of preterm newborns? Findings In this cohort study of 263 fathers, fathers in the FICare model perceived less stress and participated more in caring for their newborns compared with those in standard care. Participation mediated the beneficial association of the FICare model on fathers’ depressive symptoms and parent-newborn bonding. Meaning These findings suggest that supporting fathers to actively participate in all aspects of care of preterm newborns should be encouraged regardless of the neonatal unit’s architectural design.

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Perinatal Distress in Fathers: Toward a Gender-Based Screening of Paternal Perinatal Depressive and Affective Disorders

Cited by 38 publications

References 47 publications

Screening for Early Signs of Paternal Perinatal Affective Disorder in Expectant Fathers: A Cluster Analysis Approach

Screening for Early Signs of Paternal Perinatal Affective Disorder in Expectant Fathers: A Cluster Analysis Approach

Manifestation and Associated Factors of Pregnancy-Related Worries in Expectant Fathers

Association of a Family Integrated Care Model With Paternal Mental Health Outcomes During Neonatal Hospitalization

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