Psychological correlates of depression in fathers and mothers in the first postnatal year
Abstract
This study investigated psychological correlates of depression in fathers and mothers in the first postnatal year, using a mixed, mainly clinically referred sample and a cross-sectional design. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) was used for depression screening for mothers, and the EPDS, Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) for fathers. A total of 75 mothers (47.5%) had EPDS scores > 12, and 45 fathers (48.9%) exceeded the threshold on one or more of the three screening instruments. Most of the variance in paternal and maternal depression was accounted for by neuroticism. However, while mothers appeared primarily influenced by their own personality, perinatal and infant-related factors, fathers appeared more influenced by mothers' personality difficulties and unresolved past events, and mothers' current mental health and infant-related problems, as well as the state of the marital/ de facto relationship. The BDI and EPDS seemed to measure more severe pervasive forms of paternal depression than the GHQ, and the EPDS appeared to tap some items more specifically associated with perinatal psychological risk than the BDI. Depression in one partner was moderately correlated with depression in the other. High rates of paternal depression and anxiety in mothercraft settings suggest the need to routinely assess the mental state of both parents in these settings, and to include fathers in postnatal depression intervention programmes. The…
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Men's depression before and after the birth of the child is correlated in general with their partner's depression, difficult couple relations, and low perceived social support.
“The data indicate that men's depression before and after the birth of the child is correlated in general with their partner's depression, difficult couple relations, and low perceived social support.”
From Health From a Gender Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Dudley, Roy, Kelk, & Bernard, 2001
The worsening of depression in one member of the couple usually increases the other member's depression.
“Likewise, the worsening of depression in one of the members of the couple usually increases the other member's depression”
From Health From a Gender Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Dudley, Roy, Kelk, & Bernard, 2001
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References 41 · Cited by 160
- Authors
- Dudley, M., Roy, K., Kelk, N., & Bernard, D.
- ORCID
- Dudley, Michael
- Venue
- Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2001-08
- Volume
- 19
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 187-202
- ISSN
- 0264-6838 (ISSN-L)
- 1469-672X
- OpenAlex
- W2041394443
- Cited by
- 160
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 9 · 2019: 9 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 12 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 10 · 2014: 10 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 13
- FWCI
- 1.15
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- University of New South Wales
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Infant Health and Development
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Keywords
- postpartum depression, paternal depression, maternal depression, neuroticism, Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, General Health Questionnaire, marital relationships, infant temperament, mothercraft, perinatal mental health, depression screening, postnatal intervention
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