S Glasser1, L Lerner-Geva2,3. 1. Women and Children's Health Research Unit, The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research, Ltd. Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan 52621, Israel. 2. Women and Children's Health Research Unit, The Gertner Institute for Epidemiology and Health Policy Research Ltd., Ramat Gan, Israel. 3. School of Public Health, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Abstract
AIMS: This report aims to present a concise overview and synthesis of current research findings regarding paternal depression in the perinatal period. METHODS: A literature search was conducted, primarily via PubMed and PsychNET, for English-language research studies and meta-analyses using combinations of the terms 'perinatal', 'pregnancy', 'postpartum', 'depression' AND 'fathers' OR 'paternal'. Peer-reviewed articles were considered, and a representative sample of literature, with an emphasis on recent publications from a broad range of populations was summarized for each of the following sub-sections: prevalence, risk factors, impact on the infant/child, and healthcare costs. RESULTS: Reported prevalence has ranged from 2.3% to 8.4%, with a significant degree of heterogeneity in rates, due to differences in multiple aspects of the methodology (timing, instruments, etc.). Nevertheless, rates of maternal depression remain higher than paternal depression, and higher rates of one are associated with higher rates of the other. The primary risk factors for paternal depression are maternal depression and the father's history of severe depression, or symptoms of depression or anxiety prenatally. Biological mechanisms may underlie paternal depression, with changes reported in testosterone, cortisol and prolactin levels during this period. Paternal depression has been related to children's behavioral, emotional and social function at 36 months and psychiatric disorders at 7 years, adjusting for maternal depression. Healthcare costs may also be impacted by paternal postpartum depression, with higher father-child dyad costs found after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Focusing on fathers' emotional well-being in the perinatal period is important in itself, as well as for their wives and children. Programs recommending screening for maternal perinatal mood and anxiety disorders should include inquiry regarding the father's emotional state, and if his distress is reported it should be clarified and followed-up by support and intervention as necessary.
AIMS: This report aims to present a concise overview and synthesis of current research findings regarding paternal depression in the perinatal period. METHODS: A literature search was conducted, primarily via PubMed and PsychNET, for English-language research studies and meta-analyses using combinations of the terms 'perinatal', 'pregnancy', 'postpartum', 'depression' AND 'fathers' OR 'paternal'. Peer-reviewed articles were considered, and a representative sample of literature, with an emphasis on recent publications from a broad range of populations was summarized for each of the following sub-sections: prevalence, risk factors, impact on the infant/child, and healthcare costs. RESULTS: Reported prevalence has ranged from 2.3% to 8.4%, with a significant degree of heterogeneity in rates, due to differences in multiple aspects of the methodology (timing, instruments, etc.). Nevertheless, rates of maternal depression remain higher than paternal depression, and higher rates of one are associated with higher rates of the other. The primary risk factors for paternal depression are maternal depression and the father's history of severe depression, or symptoms of depression or anxiety prenatally. Biological mechanisms may underlie paternal depression, with changes reported in testosterone, cortisol and prolactin levels during this period. Paternal depression has been related to children's behavioral, emotional and social function at 36 months and psychiatric disorders at 7 years, adjusting for maternal depression. Healthcare costs may also be impacted by paternal postpartum depression, with higher father-child dyad costs found after controlling for potential confounders. CONCLUSIONS: Focusing on fathers' emotional well-being in the perinatal period is important in itself, as well as for their wives and children. Programs recommending screening for maternal perinatal mood and anxiety disorders should include inquiry regarding the father's emotional state, and if his distress is reported it should be clarified and followed-up by support and intervention as necessary.
Authors: Barnaby J W Dixson; Danielle Borg; Kym M Rae; Koa Whittingha; Brenda Gannon; Steven M McPhail; Hannah E Carter; Karen M Moritz; Roslyn N Boyd; Samudragupta Bora; Sailesh Kumar; Julanne Frater; Daniel Schweitzer; Paul Miller; Divya Mehter; Vicki L Clifton Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2022-08-19 Impact factor: 4.405
Authors: Sarah Kittel-Schneider; Petra Davidova; Miriam Kalok; Corina Essel; Fadia Ben Ahmed; Yasmina Kingeter; Maria Matentzoglu; Anna Linda Leutritz; Katharina Kersken; Carolin Koreny; Heike Weber; Leonie Kollert; Rhiannon V McNeill; Andreas Reif; Franz Bahlmann; Patricia Trautmann-Villalba Journal: Arch Womens Ment Health Date: 2022-01-06 Impact factor: 3.633