Postpartum depression does not just affect mothers. Fathers can experience similar levels of depression after the birth of their children, although research and awareness of this issue is still in its infancy.
A new psychology study among low-income fathers from racial and ethnic backgrounds reveals that those most involved in the first year of their child’s life show mental health outcomes better overall.
In particular, those fathers who were more confident in their parenting abilities reported, spending more time with the newborns and providing more supplies, such as diapers, toys, clothes, and food, reporting lower depression symptoms after a year.
This was true even after taking into account different demographics, such as age, ethnicity, education, employment status and whether parents lived together or were married to each other.
“In general, I think fathers are important in the family,” psychologist Olajide Bamishigbin Jr. of California State University, Long Beach told PsyPost.
“However, in our field, historically, they have been under-considered, especially racial / minority ethnic fathers.”
According to the authors, their research is the first to assess how parenting is associated with depressive symptoms over time in this group which is historically, and possibly, the results do not hold up for other socioeconomic or cultural domains, the sample size is relatively large and helps. multiplication of the field.
The findings largely match other literature on the topic, which shows that when larger fathers are involved in raising their children, the child and both parents benefit.
The study in this case was based on 881 fathers from five districts in the United States, who were first interviewed one month after the birth of their child and again at six months and one year.
At each point, these new fathers were asked to complete a scale for postpartum depression, while also expressing how confident they felt as parents, how often they providing material support and how much time they spent with their child, on their own and with others.
The findings show that father’s involvement is an important predictor of a father’s mental health as he transitions to parenthood, even though a large number of those interviewed were not married and did not stay with the mother of their child.
“In general, I think there are two major takeaways. First, being involved with your child is not only better for the child, but it’s also better for the father. As then, fathers, get involved with your children early and often! ” Bamishigbin told PsyPost.
“Secondly, I think it’s important for everyone to understand that father’s depression is an important issue that needs attention. It affects fathers and so It affects the whole family, so it’s important that we take care. ”
More research is needed to understand why these corrections exist, but the authors have put forward a few explanations. Previous studies have shown that increased self-confidence in a parent’s parenting abilities is associated with greater satisfaction, and this, in turn, is linked to fewer symptoms of depression.
A father’s cultural and sexual perception as a ‘provider’ may also play into why fathers feel better about themselves when they can provide the children with the essentials they need. to grow and prosper.
“So fathers who feel competent as parents may be more job-satisfied, and as a result, have fewer symptoms of depression,” the authors suggest.
If that is the case, then it is crucial to ensure that fathers are prepared for parenting for the health and well-being of the child.
Parenting classes and programs for fathers already exist, the authors admit, but these opportunities are often not culturally sensitive or accessible to those from racial, ethnic or socioeconomic backgrounds.
The study can only reveal a correlation for us and further research is needed to separate the complex links between parental confidence, time spent with children and mental health. It could be, for example, that fathers who are less depressed in general are more likely to feel confident as a parent.
Participants were not screened for a history of depression or their mental health during pregnancy, which means that it is possible that some fathers were depressed before the birth of their child, leading to com -party participation in their child’s life.
Interestingly, however, studies have shown that lower depression symptoms are associated with changes in hormones like oxytocin, and this hormone increases in fathers when they interact positively with it. their children.
The routine research did not examine the quality of a father’s relationship with his child, but those who spend more time with their children may be protected from future depressive symptoms through changes in their hormones. or neural activity.
If this is the case then it is vital that public health policies find a way for fathers to spend more time with their children, especially as this could affect their children and even the mental health of their child’s mothers.
In fact, research on fathers in countries with paid parental leave shows that they spend much more time with their children, even after that leave has passed.
“This study suggests that those factors associated with paternal depression can be addressed by increasing parenting skills, developing or enhancing ways for fathers to spend time with their parents. some children, as well as enabling fathers to provide substantial support for their children, “the authors conclude.
“Future researchers should consider the design and testing of interventions to assess the impact of paid leave and increased parental self-efficacy skills on paternal depression in ethnically diverse populations.”
The study was published in Boundaries in Psychology.