When Fathers Begin to Falter: A Comprehensive Review on Paternal Perinatal Depression

Abstract

C.M.); zoccali@unime.it (R.A.Z.); mmuscatello@unime.it (M.R.A.M.)Abstract: The transition to parenthood is considered to be a major life transition that can increase the vulnerability to parental depressive disorders, including paternal perinatal depression (PPND).Although it is known that many fathers experience anxiety and depression during the perinatal period, PPND is a recent diagnostic entity and there are not enough published studies on it. Accordingly, its prevalence and epidemiology are still not well defined, although the majority of studies agree that PPND is less frequent than maternal perinatal depression and postpartum depression. Nevertheless, PPND is different from maternal perinatal mental health disorders, usually, fathers have less severe symptoms, and mood alterations are often in comorbidity with other affective disorders. Despite the absence of DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and the fluctuation of prevalence rates, clinical symptoms have been defined. The main symptoms are mood alterations and anxiety, followed by behavioral disturbances and concerns about the progress of pregnancy and the child's health. Moreover, PPND negatively impacts on family functioning, on couples' relationships, and on family members' well-being. The aim of this paper is to present an overview of the current understandings on PPND and the potential screening, prevention, and treatment options.

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

“…Two recent metanalyses showed a PPND prevalence in the word ranging from 10.4% (Paulson and Bazemore, 2010 ) to 8.4% (Cameron et al, 2016 ) and longitudinal studies found that pregnancy is the most sensitive period for the onset of symptoms in both men and women (Madsen and Juhl, 2007 ; Figueiredo and Conde, 2011 ). Therefore, the term Paternal Perinatal Depression (PPND) is gradually replacing Paternal Post-partum/Post-natal Depression (PPD) , to consider and identify the possible onset of depressive symptoms in fathers since the prenatal period (Baldoni, 2010 ; Cameron et al, 2016 ; Bruno et al, 2020 ). Although these terms are commonly used in research, these diagnoses are not even mentioned in the current DSM-5.…”

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

“…Moreover, our results showed that psychologically distressed men reported higher perceived stress than the men at risk of externalized behavioral problems. According to previous studies, high perceived stress is associated to paternal affective disorders, especially with depressive and anxious symptomatology [ 3 , 26 , 27 , 84 ].…”

“…Although being a father for most men is a joyful and fulfilling journey [ 1 ], the transition to parenthood, or the arrival of an additional child, can also be perceived as overwhelming and demanding [ 2 ]. Indeed, it has been widely recognized that adjustment to fatherhood may negatively affect the men’s mental health, increasing psychological distress, depression, and anxiety from the prenatal period [ 3 , 4 ].…”

“…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.…”

“When I got the news”: Aboriginal fathers in the Kimberley region yarning about their experience of the antenatal period

“…15,16 The perinatal period is a time when fathers (like mothers) are at increased risk of depression. [17][18][19] Factors associated with paternal perinatal depression include a personal history of depression, poor social support, receiving insufficient information about pregnancy and having negative perceptions about fatherhood. 20,21 Compared with mothers, fathers are less likely to actively seek professional help when perinatal depression occurs.…”