Yin-Ping Zhang1, Lu-Lu Zhang2, Huan-Huan Wei2, Yao Zhang2, Chun-Li Zhang3, Caroline Porr4. 1. Department of Nursing, Xi׳an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, West Yanta Road, Xi׳an 710061, PR China. Electronic address: cathyzh@mail.xjtu.edu.cn. 2. Department of Nursing, Xi׳an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, West Yanta Road, Xi׳an 710061, PR China. 3. Department of Obstetrics, Xi׳an Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Shaanxi Province, Xi׳an 710003, PR China. 4. School of Nursing, Memorial University, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: there is growing evidence that fathers also experience post partum depression (PPD). However, paternal PPD has been less studied than maternal PPD. Very few studies have investigated PPD in first-time fathers from northwestern China. OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and predictors of depressive symptoms in first-time fathers from northwestern China. METHODS: a longitudinal study was conducted involving 180 couples who were assessed at three time periods: 3 days, 2 weeks and 6 weeks after childbirth. Self-reported questionnaires including Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), and Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) were administered to all participants during each time period. FINDINGS: after childbirth 35 (21.1%) of the fathers at 3 days, 32 (20.4%) at 2 weeks and 20 (13.6%) at 6 weeks, indicated that they suffered from PPD. Paternal parental sense of competence, paternal marital satisfaction, and maternal depressive symptoms were among the main predictors for paternal PPD. CONCLUSION: the study results suggest that paternal PPD is a significant public health concern. Health professionals should focus attention on the psychological health among new fathers during the postpartum period; and, the psychosocial predictors should be considered and incorporated into clinical assessment and intervention of paternal PPD.
BACKGROUND: there is growing evidence that fathers also experience post partum depression (PPD). However, paternal PPD has been less studied than maternal PPD. Very few studies have investigated PPD in first-time fathers from northwestern China. OBJECTIVE: the purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and predictors of depressive symptoms in first-time fathers from northwestern China. METHODS: a longitudinal study was conducted involving 180 couples who were assessed at three time periods: 3 days, 2 weeks and 6 weeks after childbirth. Self-reported questionnaires including Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), and Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) were administered to all participants during each time period. FINDINGS: after childbirth 35 (21.1%) of the fathers at 3 days, 32 (20.4%) at 2 weeks and 20 (13.6%) at 6 weeks, indicated that they suffered from PPD. Paternal parental sense of competence, paternal marital satisfaction, and maternal depressive symptoms were among the main predictors for paternal PPD. CONCLUSION: the study results suggest that paternal PPD is a significant public health concern. Health professionals should focus attention on the psychological health among new fathers during the postpartum period; and, the psychosocial predictors should be considered and incorporated into clinical assessment and intervention of paternal PPD.
Authors: Naila A Shaheen; Yousra AlAtiq; Abin Thomas; Hussam Ali Alanazi; Ziad E AlZahrani; Samah Abdul Ra'ouf Younis; Mohamed A Hussein Journal: Am J Mens Health Date: 2019 Jan-Feb