Paternal Leave and Fathers’ Mental Health: A Rapid Literature Review

Abstract

Background: Several countries have introduced paternal leave policies in order to encourage and involve fathers in caregiving. Besides supporting fathers’ involvement, paternal leave may have other consequences such as health improvements. Paternity leave could potentially improve mental health outcomes by reducing stress and anxiety associated with work–family conflict. It can be hypothesized that paternal leave has a positive effect on men’s mental health; however, there have been no recent attempts to review the literature pertainingto such outcomes.
 Purpose: The aim of this rapid review of the literature was to evaluate the evidence from studies that explored the effect of paternal leave on men’s mental health.
 Design: Rapid literature review
 Methods: The review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Electronic databases CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Academic Search Complete, MEDLINE, APA PsycArticles, APA PsycInfo, Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson), SocINDEX with Full Text, and ERIC were searched for studies that met the inclusion criteria.
 Findings: A total of 337 records were identified from the electronic database search. Nine studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings suggest that fathers experience mental health benefits as a result of availing of parental leave. The length of leave availed by fathers had an impact on their mental health, with longer duration of paternity leave associated with higher levels of mental well-being. Flexible leave impeded fathers from fully engaging in their paternal role or their employment duties.
 Conclusion: The mental health benefits of parental leave usually associated with mothers are also extended to fathers, highlighting the importance of this statutory entitlement.

Paternal perinatal mental health: progress, challenges and future direction

“…Considering the current shift in social attitudes towards fatherhood, and the aspirations of fathers for a more involved role in parenting, the rationale and value of supporting fathers in 26 However, health service interventions aimed at improving mental health in the perinatal period have exclusively targeted women. 29 Given the paucity of tailored interventions for fathers in the perinatal period, research has reported on psychosocial and massage interventions that were not specifically developed for fathers; however, they found a secondary outcome was improved mental health. 26 To compensate for the lack of formal interventions, fathers tend to rely on family members and friends for support.…”

“…A scoping review found that fathers who availed themselves of parental leave experienced mental health benefits, with a longer duration of leave associated with higher levels of mental wellbeing. 29 Another strategy that has been piloted in Australia is antenatal classes exclusively for fathers. 30 Fathers report these classes to be beneficial, and providing information about pregnancy, birth and postnatal care tailored to the needs and experiences of fathers can reduce adverse effects on mental health.…”

“…Considering the current shift in social attitudes towards fatherhood, and the aspirations of fathers for a more involved role in parenting, the rationale and value of supporting fathers in parenting interventions is justified 26 . However, health service interventions aimed at improving mental health in the perinatal period have exclusively targeted women 29 …”

“…One aspect that has been reported to impact positively on a father's perinatal mental health is paternity leave. A scoping review found that fathers who availed themselves of parental leave experienced mental health benefits, with a longer duration of leave associated with higher levels of mental wellbeing 29 . Another strategy that has been piloted in Australia is antenatal classes exclusively for fathers 30 .…”

The impact of inaccessibility to information and support on paternal mental health

“…Messerschmidt [13] further argues that there is a need to be clear about the parameters of hegemonic masculinity and describes these relations specifically as masculinities that "legitimate an unequal relationship between men and women, masculinity and femininity, and among masculinities". Therefore, the reproduction of these norms in institutional settings, in policy and institutional frameworks, and in social interactions, is vital to understanding the challenges that are faced by new fathers [14].…”