A new study has discovered that involved dads ‘suffer less from depression’.
Researchers from California State University found that dads who played and interacted more with their baby in the first year of its life experienced a much lower rate of paternal depressive symptoms.
They also assessed paternal depressive symptoms at regular intervals – one, six and 12 months after birth – and found that those who spent a greater amount of time with their babies had much lower rates of depressive symptoms a year later.
“We found that fathers who were more involved with their infants shortly after their birth were less likely to be depressed a year later,” study leader, Dr Olajide N. Bamishigbin Jr. explained.
He noted that fathers may feel more competent in their skills during the first year of infancy, which would inevitably lead to less mental health worries.
Involved dads ‘suffer less from depression’
“Fathers who are more involved during infancy may feel more competent as parents and be more satisfied in their role as parents over time, and this could contribute to lower depressive symptoms,” Dr Bamishigbin Jr added.
The researchers urged for more paid paternal leave to be introduced, allowing dads to spend more time with their young family, which will subsequently have a positive effect on their mental health.
“This is why we suggest paid paternal leave policies which can allow fathers the opportunity to be more involved with their kids and gain confidence as a parent early on in their lives, without having to worry about their economic security,” Bamishigbin Jr. stated.
The researchers followed more than 800 dads from one month after their child was born and examined three factors:
- time spent by the father with the infant,
- parenting self-efficacy, and
- material support for the infant.
Studies show that 1 in 10 dads struggle with postpartum depression and anxiety.
Their symptoms are slowly becoming more recognized, diagnosed, and treated.
Research has shown that depression in fathers is associated with:
- Less attention to baby’s health and well-check visits
- Higher risk of behavioral problems in preschool-age children
- Children with more physical and mental health problems
- Poor family and marital relationships.