Fathers should be tested for postpartum depression, research suggests

Fathers can suffer from postpartum depression, and a new preliminary study at the University of Illinois at Chicago suggests that fathers can and should be tested for postpartum depression. Given that the physical and mental health of mothers and fathers influence each other, addressing fathers’ health represents a powerful untapped tool to ameliorate the country’s ongoing maternal health crisis. There is a possibility that

Researchers interviewed and screened 24 fathers, with the mothers’ permission, and found that the same tool commonly used to screen mothers screened positive for postpartum depression. It was 30% of them. Lead author Dr Sam Wainwright said this showed the importance of asking new dads how they were doing.

Many fathers are stressed. they are scared. They struggle to balance work with parental and partner responsibilities. Men are often not doing well, but no one asks about it. ”

Dr. Sam Wainwright, first author

Talking to new fathers about their mental health becomes even more important when considering how it affects their partner’s health.

“Women who are at risk for postnatal depression are much more likely to develop postnatal depression if they have a partner who is depressed,” said Wainwright, assistant professor of internal medicine and pediatrics.

Other studies estimate that 8% to 13% of new fathers suffer from postpartum depression. Wainwright said nearly 90% of participants were from racial or ethnic groups that face structural racism and social determinant issues that can worsen mental health. I suspect that the proportion in this study was high because of this awareness.

Research published in journals BMC pregnancy and childbirth, conducted at UI Health’s Second Generation Clinic. The clinic, which opened in 2020, finds that new mothers, especially mothers of color who are raising children with many structural challenges, often don’t prioritize their own health care. It was born from the realization that there are many. But they are often very enthusiastic about taking their children to the doctor, Wainwright explained. Two-generation clinics maximize the child’s visit by providing primary care to the mother at the same time.

However, fathers were often excluded from this process. Clinic team members began talking to the fathers to see how they were doing. Wainwright said she often hears comments like, “I’m really stressed out, but I don’t want my girlfriend’s partner to know because I’m here to support her.” This study grew out of those conversations.

These conversations also inspired a larger research project in which Wainwright began learning more about fathers’ experiences, particularly those related to mental and physical health. He said he’s also started talking to fathers-to-be in maternity waiting rooms, because baby visits probably aren’t the only place they can reach fathers. She also urges fathers to be screened for symptoms such as high blood pressure during these conversations.

Wainwright said the medical community struggles to connect with young people who are reluctant to see a doctor, so reaching fathers-to-be is an important opportunity. In fact, some of the men in the postpartum depression study did not have a primary care physician, but were currently seeing Wainwright, and some had requested mental health services.

Wainwright explained that the overarching goal of this line of research is to better understand how men can maintain good health and keep their relationships and families healthy as well.

“How can we show our children that it’s important to take care of yourself, for your baby, for your partner, and for yourself?” he said.

Other authors of the study, all from UIC, are Rachel Caskey, Aida Rodriguez, Abigail Holicky, Dr. Melissa Wagner-Schuman, and Anne Elizabeth Glassgow.