Numerous research has proven in the past that a mother’s wellness and mental health during labor can have direct consequences on the health of the child. However, new research is showing that the mental health of an expectant father may also play a role.
In this study, the fathers underwent an interview when the mothers were 4-5 months pregnant, and were asked about their mental well-being. As well, the mental health of the mothers was provided, as well as the development of the children at three years of age, watching for signs of mood swings and anxiety.
It was found that the children who had the most emotional issues at age three were the one’s with highly distressed fathers, but no direct cause-and-effect association was found.
Several possible reasonings may explain these findings. First, the father may be passing on genetic risk for mood disorders. Second, the mental health of the mother could also be affected by the father’s behaviour as a result of his distress, affecting her hormone secretion, sleep, and mood.
These results show that the father’s health may represent a risk factor for childhood development, whereas traditionally, this risk was thought to largely be represented by the mother. Therefore, the father’s mental health should be addressed, too.
Source: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/254641.php
