Addressing depression and anxiety among new fathers (original) (raw)
Related papers
British Journal of Midwifery, 2013
This paper discusses what we know about paternal depression during the perinatal period and if there are any effective interventions for it. Available prevalence estimates suggest that depression experienced by men perinatally may be elevated and specific and/or related to this significant life stage. Currently, there is a paucity of research evaluating how depression during the perinatal period manifests differently in men than women and if men cope with their depression in ways different to women. There is also a lack of studies comparing the risk factors of paternal depression during the perinatal period and the risk factors for general depression in men. Studies showed that paternal perinatal depression not only affects the men, but their children as well. On reviewing the studies on interventions, it is clear that further randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions are needed to establish efficacious and cost-effective treatment protocols for men.
Fathers’ perinatal mental health
Abstract: Fathers’ depression is an often under recognized disorder that can impair their children’s development and lead to relationship conflict. Identification of paternal perinatal mood disorders is desirable. However suitable screening tools for fathers are still emerging and male-specific expressions of depression and anxiety may need to be included. New models may need to be developed. Taking account of the time pressures on new fathers and their lack of contact with health services a scenario is presented offering a hypothetical model of perinatal mental health care for fathers.
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, 2004
Objective: In comparison to its female counterpart, the transition of men to parenthood has been relatively neglected in previous research. The present paper argues that men may have gender-specific risk factors for perinatal psychological distress and may manifest distress in ways different from women. The prime objective of this research was to document changes in psychological, relationship and lifestyle parameters in a cohort of first time fathers from pregnancy to the end of the first postnatal year. The present paper reports on these changes. Method: Three hundred and twelve men were assessed at 23 weeks of pregnancy and followed up at 3, 6 and 12 months postnatally, using a battery of self-report questionnaires covering psychological symptom levels, lifestyle variables and relationship/sexual functioning. Two hundred and four men completed all four assessments. Results: The men exhibited highest symptom levels in pregnancy with general, through small, improvement at 3 months and little change thereafter. Lifestyle variables showed small changes over the first postnatal year. Sexual functioning appeared to deteriorate markedly from pre-pregnancy levels with only minimal recovery by the end of the first year. The results highlight that the majority of men anticipated return of sexual activity to pre-pregnancy levels; however, this failed to eventuate. Conclusions: Pregnancy, rather than the postnatal period, would appear to be the most stressful period for men undergoing the transition to parenthood. The results suggest that the most important changes occur relatively early in pregnancy. Thereafter, lack of change (rather than change) is the most noteworthy feature. These men appeared to be ill-prepared for the impact of parenthood on their lives, especially in terms of the sexual relationship. Further research to determine the timing and trigger of stress in pregnancy is recommended.
Perinatal mental health: Fathers - the (mostly) forgotten parent
Asia-Pacific Psychiatry, 2015
Introduction: The importance of parental mental health as a determinant of infant and child outcomes is increasingly acknowledged. Yet, there is limited information regarding paternal mental health during the perinatal period. The aim of this review is to summarize existing clinical research regarding paternal mental health in the perinatal period in various contexts, and its possible impact on infant development. Method: An electronic literature search was conducted using MEDLINE and PubMed databases. Key texts were used to cross-check for any further articles of interest. Results: Men are at increased risk of mental health problems during the transition to fatherhood, as well as during the perinatal period. Paternal mental health during the perinatal period has been shown to impact on their child's emotional and behavioral development. However, research addressing the needs of fathers with mental illness and the impact of their illness on their infant and family has been limited. Conclusions: A paradigm shift is required, from a focus on women following childbirth and women with pre-existing psychiatric disorders, to a broader family perspective with the focus firmly on parent-infant relationships. This paradigm shift needs to involve greater research into the fathering role and paternal mental illness during the perinatal period, including further studies into risk factors, impact on the family system, and the most appropriate form of intervention and service provision.
The paternal perinatal depression initiative
For many men, the birth of a child enhances their emotional and psychological wellbeing. For some however, the inevitable stressors and necessary adjustment(s) to parenthood can be overwhelming and as a result their mental health can suffer. The early detection of mood disorders among fathers and the provision of support during the perinatal period are important for the wellbeing of fathers, their families and the wider community. Conditions such as depression and anxiety during the perinatal period however can be common and there are effective treatments available. What has been lacking in the research about fathers during the perinatal period is a way to identify fathers in need and to provide them with appropriate gender orientated levels of support. The National Perinatal Depression Initiative (NPDI) (Department of Health, 2009) is a program of screening and treatment already available for mothers in Australia. However, simply mimicking the NPDI in an attempt to address fathers&...
Psychosocial assessment of expectant fathers
Archives of Women's Mental Health, 2008
Background: Comprehensive antenatal psychosocial assessment of mothers prior to the birth is established in many regions. While the influence of fathers on infant and maternal well-being is also recognised as commencing before birth, the early identification of needs among expectant fathers has not been addressed.
When Fathers Begin to Falter: A Comprehensive Review on Paternal Perinatal Depression
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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 ...
Psychology & Health, 2014
Objectives: Postnatal depression affects approximately 15% of women in Western countries. There are conflicting findings about the effects on fathers as well as the extent to which fathers buffer against the negative effects of depression on children. This study sought to understand the ways in which maternal postnatal depression affects men and their ways of fathering. Design: Narrative interviews were conducted with 14 British fathers (mean age = 33.9 years) whose (ex)partners had experienced at least one episode of postnatal depression. Interviews explored how their partner's depression affected them, the partner relationship, their children and their ways of fathering. Data were analysed with interpretative phenomenological analysis. Results and Conclusions: Men felt that their partner's depression led to significant physical and/or psychological maternal absence as well as a fracturing of the family unit, which had been an important ideological foundation for men's fathering. Unequal divisions of labour, unfulfilled expectations, a thwarting of preferred ways of fathering and preoccupation with their partner's depression took some men away from fathering. Others reported adaptation by accepting the loss of shared parenting and investing in an exclusive fatherchild relationship. Fathering appears to be particularly affected by the loss of a close adult relationship.