Emerging research shows that new fathers are increasingly at risk of developing depression during the perinatal period. While maternal mental health has been the focus of much research, the psychological well-being of fathers has received significantly less attention.
Longitudinal studies tracking the mental health of new fathers, particularly in France, are scarce. Only two previous studies have specifically examined paternal depression, and these were limited to the first four months postpartum. Understanding these risks more comprehensively can help identify public health concerns and inform targeted prevention strategies.
To address this gap, French researchers in epidemiology and public health analyzed data from the CONSTANCES cohort, a large-scale health study. Participants in the cohort completed annual self-administered questionnaires, reporting their parental status and any mental health issues. They also filled out mental health assessments, such as the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale and the General Health Questionnaire, which measured depression, anxiety, and other disorders. The researchers established thresholds for these assessments to determine the severity of symptoms. Additionally, they considered various factors—sociodemographic, psychosocial, lifestyle, professional, family, or cultural—that might be linked to poor mental health.
The study followed 6,299 men who became fathers for the first time, with at least one mental health assessment during the follow-up period. These men had an average age of 38 years at the start of the study; 88% lived with a partner, and 85% were employed. Overall, 7.9% of participants reported a mental illness during the study period, with 5.6% of cases occurring before the child’s birth and 9.7% after. Anxiety affected 6.5% of the group, with a higher incidence after the birth (7.8%) compared to before (4.9%).
Clinically significant symptoms were found in an average of 23.2% of participants throughout the study. The rate increased from 18.3% before the birth to 25.2% afterward, suggesting underreporting or a lack of awareness among men regarding their mental health.
The researchers identified three distinct mental health trajectories among the fathers. The first group, comprising 90.3% of the cohort, had a consistently low risk of mental illness. The second group, representing 4.1%, faced a high and steady risk over time. The final group, 5.6%, experienced a temporary spike in risk during the 2-4 years surrounding the birth of their child.
Certain factors increased the risk of mental health issues among fathers. Those at a transiently high risk were more likely to be unemployed, have experienced negative childhood events, forgo healthcare due to financial constraints, and be between 35-39 years old. The risk factors for a consistently high risk of mental illness included being aged 60 or older, unemployment, not living with a partner, being aged 40-44, and having additional children in the following years.
The researchers emphasized that these risk factors do not establish causality, and further investigation is needed. They also noted that French fathers, who typically receive two weeks of paid paternity leave, may struggle to balance work and parenting responsibilities. This imbalance can lead to dissatisfaction and challenges in seeking support or mental health care, especially as men are often less attuned to these risks compared to women.
This article was translated from Univadis France, part of the Medscape Professional Network, with the assistance of AI tools and human editors.
