The effects of early paternal depression on children's development

Fletcher, Richard; Feeman, Emily; Garfield, Craig F.; Vimpani, Graham

doi:10.5694/mja11.10192

Cited by 120 publications

(106 citation statements)

References 20 publications

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“…Recent research has shown that depressed fathers are 4 times as likely to spank their infants than nondepressed fathers and less likely to read to them. 105,119 Fathers' ratings of 16 domains/ activities of their lives ranked the emotional experience of parenting along with work-life conflict as the most negative and the most tiring activities. 120 Longitudinal studies of paternal depression scores from the National Longitudinal Health Survey showed the highest score for nonresident fathers on entry to fatherhood.…”

Section: Influence Of Fathers' Mental and Physical Well-being On Chilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fathers’ Roles in the Care and Development of Their Children: The Role of Pediatricians

Yogman¹,

Garfield²

2016

Pediatrics

268

216

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Fathers’ involvement in and influence on the health and development of their children have increased in a myriad of ways in the past 10 years and have been widely studied. The role of pediatricians in working with fathers has correspondingly increased in importance. This report reviews new studies of the epidemiology of father involvement, including nonresidential as well as residential fathers. The effects of father involvement on child outcomes are discussed within each phase of a child’s development. Particular emphasis is placed on (1) fathers’ involvement across childhood ages and (2) the influence of fathers’ physical and mental health on their children. Implications and advice for all child health providers to encourage and support father involvement are outlined.

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Section: Influence Of Fathers' Mental and Physical Well-being On Chilmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fathers’ Roles in the Care and Development of Their Children: The Role of Pediatricians

Yogman¹,

Garfield²

2016

Pediatrics

268

216

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“…7 There are fewer studies that have investigated the impact of paternal depression on children; however, those that have also show consistent associations between paternal depression postnatally and an increased risk of behavioral and emotional problems in children between 3 and 5 years old. [8][9][10] Children of fathers with depression had higher rates of such problems than children whose fathers had not been depressed (16.9% vs 8.5%). 9 Despite the reported associations between depression in parents and adverse child outcomes, there is only limited information about the mechanisms by which any risk is transmitted from parents to children or whether there are factors that moderate the potential impact.…”

Section: What This Study Addsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Paternal Depression in the Postnatal Period and Child Development: Mediators and Moderators

et al. 2015

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OBJECTIVE: To explore potential mediating and moderating factors that influence the association between paternal depression in the postnatal period and subsequent child behavioral and emotional problems.METHODS: A population-based cohort (N = 13 822) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC) was recruited during pregnancy. Paternal and maternal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at 8 weeks after the birth of the child. Child outcomes were assessed at 3.5 years by using the Rutter revised preschool scales and at 7 years by using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Path analysis was used to assess hypothesized mediators (ie, depression in the other parent, couple conflict, and paternal noninvolvement) of the associations between both paternal and maternal depression and child outcomes. We also tested for hypothesized moderators (ie, paternal education and antisocial traits).RESULTS: Family factors (maternal depression and couple conflict) mediated two-thirds of the overall association between paternal depression and child outcomes at 3.5 years. Similar findings were seen when children were 7 years old. In contrast, family factors mediated less than one-quarter of the association between maternal depression and child outcomes. There was no evidence of moderating effects of either parental education or antisocial traits. CONCLUSIONS:The majority of the association between depression in fathers postnatally and subsequent child behavior is explained by the mediating role of family environment, whereas the association between depression in mothers and child outcomes appears to be better explained by other factors, perhaps including direct mother-infant interaction. WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Parental depression is associated with adverse child outcomes. It is important to understand possible mediators and moderators. Several studies suggest that the family environment or parenting style may be potential pathways for transmission of risk from parents to children. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:Paternal depression appears to exert its influence on children' s outcomes through an effect on family functioning (couple conflict and maternal depression), whereas maternal postnatal depression appears to affect children through other mechanisms, potentially including direct mother-infant interaction and care. Dr Gutierrez-Galve developed the hypotheses for the current study, carried out the statistical analysis, drafted the initial manuscript, and serves as guarantor for the contents of this article; Mr Stein, Dr Hanington, and Dr Heron developed the hypotheses for the current study and critically reviewed the manuscript; Dr Ramchandani developed the hypotheses for this study, supervised the statistical analysis, and reviewed and revised the manuscript; and all authors approved the final manuscript as submitted. A recent meta-analysis reported that the incidence of depression during the postnatal period is ∼9.8% in mothers and 4.8% in fathers. 3 Dep...

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“…[1][2][3][4][5] Depressed fathers exhibit poorer parenting behaviors, 6 lower likelihood of child engagement, and greater likelihood of parenting stress and child neglect 7 than non-depressed fathers. 8 Children of depressed fathers are at risk for later psychiatric disorders, 3 poorer language and reading development, 9 and increased risks of behavior problems, including peer problems, conduct problems, and poorer prosocial behaviors across ages, than children of nondepressed fathers.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…8 Children of depressed fathers are at risk for later psychiatric disorders, 3 poorer language and reading development, 9 and increased risks of behavior problems, including peer problems, conduct problems, and poorer prosocial behaviors across ages, than children of nondepressed fathers. 2,5 Although studies show a decline in young men' s physical health during the transition to fatherhood, [10][11][12] less is known about the mental health of fathers during the transition. Several social factors may be implicated.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Longitudinal Study of Paternal Mental Health During Transition to Fatherhood as Young Adults

et al. 2014

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WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:There is growing understanding of the detrimental effect of paternal depression on children. The transition to fatherhood is a unique time for men. Identifying which fathers are at-risk and when will inform effective methods to help men and their families.WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: Nonresident fathers have the highest depression symptom scores, peaking before entering fatherhood. Although resident fathers' scores decrease preceding entry into fatherhood, there is a significant increase from 0 to 5 years of their child' s life when key parent-infant attachment occurs. abstract BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Rates of paternal depression range from 5% to 10% with a growing body of literature describing the harm to fathers, children, and families. Changes in depression symptoms over the life course, and the role of social factors, are not well known. This study examines associations with changes in depression symptoms during the transition to fatherhood for young fathers and whether this association differed by key social factors. METHODS:We combined all 4 waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to support a 23-year longitudinal analysis of 10 623 men and then created a "fatherhood-year" data set, regressing ageadjusted standardized depressive symptoms scores on fatherhood status (nonresidence/residence), fatherhood-years, and covariates to determine associations between Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale scores and fatherhood life course intervals. RESULTS:Depressive symptom scores reported at the entry into fatherhood are higher for nonresident fathers than nonfathers, which in turn are higher than those of resident fathers. Resident fathers have a significant decrease in scores during late adolescence (b = -0.035, P = .023), but a significant increase in scores during early fatherhood (b = 0.023, P = .041). From entrance into fatherhood to the end of early fatherhood (+5 years), the depressive symptoms score for resident fathers increases on average by 68%. CONCLUSIONS:In our longitudinal, population-based study, resident fathers show increasing depressive symptom scores during children' s key attachment years of 0-5. Identifying at-risk fathers based on social factors and designing effective interventions may ultimately improve health outcomes for the entire family. Pediatrics 2014;133:836-843 AUTHORS:

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The effects of early paternal depression on children's development

Cited by 120 publications

References 20 publications

Fathers’ Roles in the Care and Development of Their Children: The Role of Pediatricians

Fathers’ Roles in the Care and Development of Their Children: The Role of Pediatricians

Paternal Depression in the Postnatal Period and Child Development: Mediators and Moderators

A Longitudinal Study of Paternal Mental Health During Transition to Fatherhood as Young Adults

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