Even Fathers are Affected by Post-Partum Depression

A large, observational study has revealed that even fathers fall a victim to post-partum depression. The study by R. Neal Davis and colleagues at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, involved. 1,746 fathers of 1-year-old infants. These fathers were quizzed through the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study.

The researchers report that 7% of the fathers reported suffering a depressive incident in the last 12 months. Furthermore spanking was reported b y 41% of depressed dads compared with only 13% of other fathers.

The study also found that fathers who were depressed were 62% less likely to report reading to their children. "The field of pediatrics is now faced with finding ways to support fathers in their parenting role much in the same way we support mothers," the researchers wrote.

The details of the study appear in the journal Pediatrics.




Source-Medindia