Postpartum Depression In Children

In the past, developmentalists have underestimated the importance of a father's interactions with the child in early development.[17] However, researchers have recently found that father involvement in early life has significant effects on subsequent child development. These studies include infants' exposure to paternal depression and its repercussions on the child's development.[55]

Research on postpartum depression have mostly focused on mothers, but studies have shown that fathers also pose a risk of experiencing postpartum depression, though a lower prevalence than in mothers.[55] Compared to mothers, fathers face lower levels of anxiety towards fatherhood and typically take part less in direct care for the child, reducing their susceptibility to
In a cross-sectional study, pre-school children, three to five years of age, who faced paternal depression as infants developed increased behavioral problems relating to conduct and hyperactivity.[17] In other words, paternal depression in early life places the child at a higher risk for developing behavioral issues, especially in early childhood.[55] The results of the study also indicated a higher incidence of behavioral problems, as a result of paternal postpartum depression, in boys than in girls.[17] Generally, boys more sensitively responded to the father's parenting, explaining the increased tendency of the boys to develop behavioral issues.[17]

The study proposes several explanations for the development of behavioral issues. Similar to maternal depression, fathers experiencing depression find it more difficult to care for their children and to fulfill their roles and responsibilities in the family. As a result, early interaction between the father and the child may decrease.[17] Also, indirect causes of depression, such as marital stress and tension, could also be a factor in the increase in behavior