Prenatal paternal depression

Abstract

Prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, anger and daily hassles were investigated in 156 depressed and non-depressed pregnant women and their depressed and non-depressed partners (fathers-to-be). Depressed versus non-depressed fathers had higher depression, anxiety and daily hassles scores. Although the pregnant women in general had lower anxiety, anger and daily hassles scores than the men, the scores on the measures for depressed fathers and depressed mothers did not differ. Paternal depression appeared to have less effect than maternal depression on their partners' scores. However, the similarity between the scores of depressed mothers and depressed fathers highlights the importance of screening for depression in fathers-to-be as well as mothers-to-be as well as during pregnancy. Prenatal Paternal DepressionPrenatal maternal depression is noted to negatively affect fetal activity (increased) and fetal growth (decreased) and neonatal outcome (greater incidence of prematurity and low birthweight) in different cultures (Field, Diego, Dieter, et al 2004;Lundy, et al 1999;Zuckerman, Bauchner, Parker, & Cabral, 1990). Many fathers are also depressed. In an Australian study, for example, 20% of mothers and 12% of fathers were significantly distressed at mid-pregnancy (Morse, Buist, & Durkin, 2000). In a Norwegian study, psychological distress was reported by 37% of the mothers and 13% of the fathers a few days after childbirth, and severe distress symptoms were reported by 9% and 2% of the mothers and fathers, respectively (Skari, et al 2002). In an American study (Goodman, 2004), the incidence of paternal depression ranged from 1% to 26% in community samples, and from 24% to 50% among partners of women experiencing depression. In at least one study, prenatal paternal and maternal depressed mood were significant predictor variables for the postnatal moods of both mothers and fathers (Matthey, Barnett, Ungerer, Waters, 2000). The negative effects of paternal depression on early interactions between fathers and infants and on child development have been documented if prenatal paternal depression is predictive of postnatal paternal depression, it would be important to identify depressed fathers prenatally for early intervention to help prevent postnatal paternal depression and its negative effects. Paternal depression during the postnatal period has been associated with adverse emotional and behavioral problems in preschool children after controlling postnatal for maternal depression (Ramchandari, Stein, Evans, O'Connor, 2005). In addition, depression in the father-to-be might be expected to negatively affect the mother's mood state during pregnancy and thereby have indirect negative effects on fetal development and neonatal outcome.The present study investigated prenatal depression and other mood states in both depressed and non-depressed pregnant women and their depressed and non-depressed partners (fathersto-be). Comparisons were made between the prenatal mood states of 1) depressed versus nondepressed fathe...

Paternal Mental Health and Socioemotional and Behavioral Development in Their Children

“…In particular, depression in expectant fathers may also have an impact on the mental health of their pregnant partners and thereby have indirect negative effects on neonatal outcomes through an impact on the mothers. 4 Finally a father' s prenatal mental health is also likely to predict his mental health in the postnatal period, and this may account for some of the associations seen. 6 In contrast with the findings of Lung et al, 20 our findings did not confirm that education had an effect on the association between fathers' mental health and child development.…”

“…Mothers' mental health was measured by SCL-5 (mean = 1.23, SD = 0.33, range [1][2][3][4]. Of the N = 31 655 mothers, n = 8 (0.03%) had missing information on the SCL-5.…”

“…Depression in expectant fathers may affect the mental health of their pregnant partners and thereby have indirect negative effects on neonatal outcomes. 4 A prenatal effect of paternal psychological symptoms on their children may also reflect a genetic risk for psychopathology. 5 A study by Matthey et al 6 showed that prenatal paternal and maternal depressed mood were significant predictors for the postnatal mood of both mothers and fathers.…”

Prevalence of paternal perinatal depressiveness and its link to partnership satisfaction and birth concerns

“…Fathers might unintentionally be marginalized from both their partners' focus of attention as well as health services. Consequently, fathers may also be at increased risk to suffer from prenatal and postnatal depression in similar ways as mothers (Fletcher et al 2006;Field et al 2006). …”

“…While the 12-month general population period prevalence for major depressive disorder among men is estimated around 4.8 % according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fourth edition (DSM-IV) criteria (Kessler et al 2003), recent studies suggest that the paternal depression rate might be raised during pregnancy and postnatally as is seen in mothers (Field et al 2006;Paulson and Bazemore 2010). Field et al claim that depressed fathers experience symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy similar to expectant mothers suffering from depression (Field et al 2006).…”