Prenatal paternal depression

Infant Behav Dev. 2006 Dec;29(4):579-83. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2006.07.010. Epub 2006 Nov 13.

Abstract

Prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, anger and daily hassles were investigated in 156 depressed and non-depressed pregnant women and their depressed and non-depressed partners (fathers-to-be). Depressed versus non-depressed fathers had higher depression, anxiety and daily hassles scores. Although the pregnant women in general had lower anxiety, anger and daily hassles scores than the men, the scores on the measures for depressed fathers and depressed mothers did not differ. Paternal depression appeared to have less effect than maternal depression on their partners' scores. However, the similarity between the scores of depressed mothers and depressed fathers highlights the importance of screening for depression in fathers-to-be as well as mothers-to-be during pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / epidemiology*
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Paternal Behavior*
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Care / methods
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / prevention & control
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects / psychology*
  • Psychological Tests
  • Surveys and Questionnaires