Paternal Depression

According to Science Daily, it is estimated that around 10 percent of fathers experience either postpartum or prenatal depression. Depression among the new fathers is not an issue that is well understood, but researchers are gaining information to understand how to prevent and treat paternal depression.

Significance

• Fathers play an extremely important and vital role in the development and early life of their children. Researchers are learning how paternal depression can affect a child’s life. Unfortunately, paternal depression can have a very negative impact on children in the family.

Effects

• Increasingly, studies have revealed that child development outcomes can be severely affected by paternal depression. According to Med Page Today, paternal depression can hinder the emotional development of a child.

Gender Impact

• According to the National Institute of Health, paternal depression affects infant boys more than girls. Behavioral problems among boys were associated with paternal depression in the postnatal period.

Considerations

• There is also a moderate correlation between depression and mothers and fathers. In many cases, both parents are affected by the condition.

Treatment

• Depression is not uncommon. It frequently affects both fathers and mothers of small children. It's essential that depression is treated so that it does not have a negative effect on the family's life or the child's development. Families can use psychologists, therapists and other health care professionals for depression treatment.