A review of mental health problems in fathers following the birth of a child

Bradley, Rachel; Slade, Pauline

doi:10.1080/02646838.2010.513047

Cited by 110Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumFamily Dynamics and RelationshipsInfant Health and Development

A review of mental health problems in fathers following the birth of a child

Bradley, Rachel, Slade, Pauline·2011·Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology

DOI 10.1080/02646838.2010.513047

Open this paper in CoChat — free account

Abstract

This literature review explores the range, prevalence and predictors of mental health problems experienced by fathers in the first year after their baby’s birth. Problems include depression, anxiety, obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), stress/post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder and psychosis. Up to a third of men may experience depressive symptoms. Factors associated with this relate to the parenting style of their own parents, their personality, experiences of the birth, demographic factors, their partner’s characteristics, their relationship with their partner and families and their view of their baby. If fathers experience postnatal depressive symptoms, these can impact on their interactions with their children, their partners’ interactions with their children and their children’s behaviour. OCD may occur in new fathers in relation to fears of harming their children. Men who attend births may experience intrusive thoughts and images especially if they feel they did not support their partner during labour or felt pressured to attend the birth. There are accounts of men developing postnatal bipolar disorder or psychosis.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1080/02646838.2010.513047

Cites

0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Recomputing p-values needs the paper’s full text.

Claims the paper makes

This paper’s full text isn’t openly available, so its claims and self-check weren’t run. The registry and citation checks still apply.

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Men's symptoms of depression and anxiety and adjustment disorders, present before or after the birth of the child, are important problems.
“Research has shown that men's symptoms of depression and anxiety and adjustment disorders, present before or after the birth of the child, are also important problems”
From Health From a Gender Perspective (2017) · cites this paper as Bradley & Slade, 2011

The impact of postnatal depression and associated adversity on early mother–infant interactions and later infant outcome
Murray, L., Fiori-Cowley, A., Hooper, R., & Cooper, P. (1996) · Child Development · doi:10.2307/1131637 · Cited by 1,311 · see citing works
Paternal depression in the postnatal period and child development: a prospective population study
Ramchandani, P., Stein, A., Evans, J., & O'Connor, T. G. (2005) · The Lancet · doi:10.1016/s0140-6736(05)66778-5 · Cited by 819 · see citing works
Diagnosing postpartum depression in mothers and fathers: whatever happened to anxiety?
Matthey, S., Barnett, B., Howie, P., & Kavanagh, D. J. (2003) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/s0165-0327(02)00012-5 · Cited by 547 · see citing works
Validation of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale for men, and comparison of item endorsement with their partners
Matthey, S., Barnett, B., Kavanagh, D. J., & Howie, P. (2001) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/s0165-0327(00)00236-6 · Cited by 516 · see citing works
Depressive mood in men after the birth of their offspring in relation to a partner's depression, social support, fathers' personality and prenatal expectations
Bielawska‐Batorowicz, E., & Kossakowska‐Petrycka, K. (2006) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646830500475179 · Cited by 146 · see citing works

Flagged first, then by citations

Sorted by citations

British Association for Psychopharmacology consensus guidance on the use of psychotropic medication preconception, in pregnancy and postpartum 2017
McAllister-Williams, R., Baldwin, D. S., Cantwell, R., Easter, A., Gilvarry, E., Glover, V., Green, L., Grégoire, A., Howard, L. M., Jones, I. R., et al. (2017) · Journal of Psychopharmacology · doi:10.1177/0269881117699361 · Cited by 219 · see citing works
“For example, maternal depression is known to be a risk factor for paternal depression in the postnatal period (Bradley and Slade, 2011; Burke, 2003).”
Background
Association between parental depressive symptoms and impaired bonding with the infant
Kerstis, B., Aarts, C., Tillman, C., Persson, H., Engström, G., Edlund, B., Öhrvik, J., Sylvén, S., & Skalkidou, A. (2016) · Archives of Women's Mental Health · doi:10.1007/s00737-015-0522-3 · Cited by 165 · see citing works
“symptoms in new mothers (Bradley and Slade 2011; Edward et al. 2014).”
The impact of parents’ mental health on parent–baby interaction: A prospective study
Parfitt, Y., Pike, A., & Ayers, S. (2013) · Infant Behavior and Development · doi:10.1016/j.infbeh.2013.06.003 · Cited by 145 · see citing works
Harried and Unhealthy? Parenthood, Time Pressure, and Mental Health
Ruppanner, L., Perales, F., & Baxter, J. (2018) · Journal of Marriage and the Family · doi:10.1111/jomf.12531 · Cited by 150 · see citing works
An integrative review of paternal depression
Edward, K.-L., Castle, D., Mills, C., Davis, L., & Casey, J. (2015) · American Journal of Men's Health · doi:10.1177/1557988314526614 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
“…gender of the child for some cultures, adaptation impaired paternal/ newborn bonding, and/or feelings of exclusion from maternal/newborn bonding (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Buist, Morse, & Durkin, 2003; Davé et al., 2005; Davey, Dziurawiec, & O’Brien-Malone, 2006; Kim & Swain, 2007; Mao, Zhu, & Su,…”
Background
Very low birth-weight as a risk factor for postpartum depression four to six weeks postbirth in mothers and fathers: Cross-sectional results from a controlled multicentre cohort study
Helle, N., Barkmann, C., Bartz-Seel, J., Diehl, T., Ehrhardt, S., Hendel, A., Nestoriuc, Y., Schulte-Markwort, M., von der Wense, A., & Bindt, C. (2015) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.04.001 · Cited by 115 · see citing works
“Commonly identified factors associated with postpartum depressed mood in fathers are poor relationship satisfaction, low social support, depressive symptoms during pregnancy, neuroticism, stressful life events, socio-economic and demographic factors (Bradley and Slade, 2011; Wee et al., 2011).”
Background
Preparing fathers for the transition to parenthood: recommendations for the content of antenatal education.
May, C. D., & Fletcher, R. (2013) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2012.03.005 · Cited by 106 · see citing works
“Other important sources of support, such as those provided by their partner and social networks, tend to withdraw at the same time and fathers are less likely than mothers to adjust for this by actively seeking professional help and support (Buist et al., 2003; Fletcher et al., 2008; Bradley and Slade, 2010).”
Background
“Nothing’s actually happened to me.”: the experiences of fathers who found childbirth traumatic
Etheridge, J., & Slade, P. (2017) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1259-y · Cited by 108 · see citing works
“Men are susceptible to a range of mental health problems following the birth of a child [1].”
BackgroundSelf-citation
Couple comorbidity and correlates of postnatal depressive symptoms in mothers and fathers in the first two weeks following delivery
Anding, J. E., Röhrle, B., Grieshop, M., Schücking, B., & Christiansen, H. (2016) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2015.10.033 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Common mental disorders in women and men in the first six months after the birth of their first infant: a community study in Victoria, Australia.
Wynter, K., Rowe, H., & Fisher, J. (2013) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2013.08.021 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
The effect of parental leave on parents’ mental health: a systematic review
Heshmati, A., Honkaniemi, H., & Juárez, S. (2023) · The Lancet Public Health · doi:10.1016/s2468-2667(22)00311-5 · Cited by 111 · see citing works
A meta-ethnographic synthesis of fathers' experiences of complicated births that are potentially traumatic.
Elmir, R., & Schmied, V. (2016) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2015.09.008 · Cited by 65 · see citing works
“I Wanted to Be There as a Father, but I Couldn’t”: A Qualitative Study of Fathers’ Experiences of Postpartum Depression and Their Help-Seeking Behavior
Pedersen, S., Maindal, H. T., & Ryom, K. (2021) · American Journal of Men's Health · doi:10.1177/15579883211024375 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
“Just as this study has highlighted the fathers’ partner as a facilitator in relation to help-seeking, several studies have linked lack of social support with paternal PPD (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Goodman, 2004; Kumar et al., 2018; Matthey et al., 2000).”
BackgroundInfluential
The impact of maternal postnatal depression on men and their ways of fathering: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Beestin, L., Hugh-Jones, S., & Gough, B. (2014) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2014.885523 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
“…Barros, & Figueiredo, 1996a; Areias et al., 1996b; Ballard, Davis, Cullen, Mohan, & Dean, 1994; Bielawska-Batorowicz & Kossakowska-Petrycka, 2006; Bradley & Slade, 2011; Deater-Deckard et al., 1998; Dudley et al., 2001; Matthey, Barnett, Kavanagh, & Howie, 2001; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010) and in…”
Background
Posttraumatic stress symptoms in mothers and fathers of very preterm infants over the first 2 years
Pace, C. C., Anderson, P. J., Lee, K. J., Spittle, A. J., & Treyvaud, K. (2020) · Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics · doi:10.1097/dbp.0000000000000828 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
“Obstetric complications have been identified as a risk factor for PTSSs,(3) and evidence suggests that fathers can also experience PTSSs after the birth of their child.(5) The events preceding a preterm birth (,37 weeks’ gestation), the birth itself, and subsequent hospitalization are all potentially traumatizing even…”
Background
Acute and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms in Mothers and Fathers Following Childbirth: A Prospective Cohort Study
Schobinger, E., Stuijfzand, S., & Horsch, A. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.562054 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
“2% is within the current estimates: 0–5% (27, 28, 31), with a maximum of 12% depending on sampling method (30).”
Background
A qualitative study of new fathers’ experiences of care in relation to complicated childbirth
Lindberg, I., & Engström, Å. H. (2013) · Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare · doi:10.1016/j.srhc.2013.10.002 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
“Although research regarding postnatal depressive symptoms in fathers requires more studies, it does suggest that experiencing postnatal depressive symptoms affects the interactions between the father and the mother and can impact the amount of practical support they can possibly give to their partners and babies, whic…”
Background
Partner support and relationship quality as potential resources for childbirth and the transition to parenthood
Hoffmann, L., Hilger, N., Riolino, E., Lenz, A., & Banse, R. (2023) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-023-05748-6 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
“Fathers may also develop psychological symptoms after birth [11, 21].”
Background
Paternal mental health following perceived traumatic childbirth.
Inglis, C., Sharman, R., & Reed, R. (2016) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2016.08.008 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Childbirth fear in Swedish fathers is associated with parental stress as well as poor physical and mental health.
Hildingsson, I., Haines, H., Johansson, M., Rubertsson, C., & Fenwick, J. (2014) · Midwifery · doi:10.1016/j.midw.2013.12.012 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
“These findings support those of Bradley and Slade (2011) whose literature review of 21 articles found that men experiencing depressive symptoms during pregnancy were at greater risk of experiencing distress and low levels of fulfillment during labour and birth.”
Result
Paternal symptoms of anxiety and depression in the first month after childbirth: A comparison between fathers of full term and preterm infants
Cajiao-Nieto, J., Torres-Giménez, A., Merelles-Tormo, A., & Botet-Mussons, F. (2021) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2020.12.175 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
The inter-relationship between depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms in fathers during the antenatal period
Wee, K., Skouteris, H., Richardson, B., Mcphie, S., & Hill, B. (2015) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2015.1048199 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
“Another possibility that might cause a significant difference is non-first-time fathers having a previous traumatic experience of partner’s labour and birth (cf. Bradley & Slade, 2011; Bradley, Slade, & Leviston, 2008).”
Background
Long‐term effects of fathers' depressed mood on youth internalizing symptoms in early adulthood
Reeb, B. T., Wu, E. Y., Martin, M. J., Gelardi, K. L., Chan, S. Y. S., & Conger, K. J. (2015) · Journal of Research on Adolescence · doi:10.1111/jora.12112 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
“…example, social scientists have begun to recognize the importance of paternal depression, both in terms of prevalence and in relation to children's psychological functioning (for recent reviews, see Bradley & Slade, 2011; LeFrancois, 2012; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010; Ramchandani & Psychogiou, 2009).”
Background
Dyadic analyses on the prospective association between birth experience and parent-child-bonding: The role of postpartum depression, anxiety, and childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder.
Seefeld, L., von Soest, T., Dikmen-Yildiz, P., & Garthus-Niegel, S. (2023) · Journal of Anxiety Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.janxdis.2023.102748 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Happy prenatal relationships, healthy postpartum mothers: a prospective study of relationship satisfaction, postpartum stress, and health
Tissera, H., Auger, E., Séguin, L., Kramer, M., & Lydon, J. (2020) · Psychology and Health · doi:10.1080/08870446.2020.1766040 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
“Paternal postpartum health appears to have important downstream consequences for the child and the relationship (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Giallo Cooklin et al., 2014).”
Background
Exposure to Stress During Childbirth, Dyadic Adjustment, Partner’s Resilience, and Psychological Distress Among First-Time Fathers
Zerach, G., & Magal, O. (2017) · Psychology of Men & Masculinity · doi:10.1037/men0000048 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Fathers with PTSD and depression in pregnancies complicated by preterm preeclampsia or PPROM
Stramrood, C. A. I., Doornbos, B., Wessel, I., van Geenen, M., Aarnoudse, J. G., van den Berg, P. P., Schultz, W. C. M. W., & van Pampus, M. G. (2012) · Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics · doi:10.1007/s00404-012-2611-0 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
“nesses in fathers as well [6], and their mental well being is known to affect the parent–child relationship, and child behavioral and emotional development [7–9].”
Background
Early Detection of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Mothers and Fathers and Its Relation to Midwives’ Evaluation and Service Provision: A Community-Based Study
Anding, J., Rohrle, B., Grieshop, M., Schucking, B., & Christiansen, H. (2015) · Frontiers in Pediatrics · doi:10.3389/fped.2015.00062 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
Infancy and pediatric cancer: an exploratory study of parent psychological distress
Vernon, L., Eyles, D., Hulbert, C. A., Bretherton, L., & McCarthy, M. (2016) · Psycho-Oncology · doi:10.1002/pon.4141 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
“Identified demographic risk factors for elevated psychological distress among parents within infant illness populations include parents of younger age, lower education level, and larger family size [18,19].”
Background
An Evidence Review and Model for Prevention and Treatment of Postpartum Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Vesel, J., & Nickasch, B. L. (2015) · Nursing for Women s Health · doi:10.1111/1751-486x.12234 · Cited by 27 · see citing works
Fathers' feelings related to their partners' childbirth and views on their presence during labour and childbirth: A descriptive quantitative study.
He, H.-G., Vehviläinen-Julkunen, K., Qian, X.-F., Sapountzi-Krepia, D., Gong, Y.-H., & Wang, W. (2015) · International Journal of Nursing Practice · doi:10.1111/ijn.12339 · Cited by 26
Exploration of fathers’ mental health and well-being concerns during the transition to fatherhood, and paternal perinatal support: scoping review
Watkins, A. E., Zerbi, C. E., McGovern, R., & Rankin, J. M. (2024) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2023-078386 · Cited by 28 · see citing works
Childbirth Experience Associated With Maternal and Paternal Stress During the First Year, but Not Child Attachment
Holopainen, A., Verhage, M., & Oosterman, M. (2020) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2020.562394 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“the way things went (2) I am quite happy with the way things went, (3) I have no special feelings about the birth, (4) I am not quite happy with the way things went, and (5) I am very unhappy with the way things went).”
Background
Mother-Father Differences in Postnatal Psychological Distress and Its Determinants in Iran
Mahmoodi, H., Golboni, F., Nadrian, H., Zareipour, M., Shirzadi, S., & Gheshlagh, R. G. (2017) · Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences · doi:10.3889/oamjms.2017.009 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“In consistent with these findings, up to one-third of the new fathers may experience depressive symptoms or have PPD after their baby’s birth [41, 42].”
Background
Interactions between perceptions of relationship quality and postnatal depressive symptoms in Australian, primiparous women and their partners.
Wynter, K., Rowe, H., & Fisher, J. (2014) · Australian Journal of Primary Health · doi:10.1071/py12066 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
The Experience of Men Whose Partners Have Postpartum Depression
Ierardi, J. A., Fantasia, H. C., Mawn, B., & Driscoll, J. W. (2019) · Journal of the American Psychiatric Nurses Association · doi:10.1177/1078390319849102 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
“The existing literature on men’s experiences with partners who have PPD is focused on quantitative studies and literature reviews (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Don & Mickelson, 2012; Letourneau, Dennis, et al., 2012; Paulson & Bazemore, 2010).”
BackgroundResult
Support provided by nurses to parents of hospitalized children – cultural adaptation and validation of Nurse Parent Support Tool and initial research results
Aftyka, A., Rozalska‐Walaszek, I., Wróbel, A., Bednarek, A., Dąbek, K., & Zarzycka, D. (2017) · Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences · doi:10.1111/scs.12426 · Cited by 22 · see citing works
Going through it together: Dyadic associations between parents' birth experience, relationship satisfaction, and mental health.
Seefeld, L., Handelzalts, J., Horesh, D., Horsch, A., Ayers, S., Dikmen-Yildiz, P., Akik, B. K., & Garthus-Niegel, S. (2023) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2023.12.044 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Perinatal support for couples during COVID-19: A descriptive qualitative study.
Shorey, S., Tan, T., Thilagamangai, Mathews, J., Lim, S. H., Shi, L.-M., Jing, S.-C., Chan, Y., Law, E., Chee, C., et al. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Nursing · doi:10.1111/jocn.16432 · Cited by 20 · see citing works
Anxiety Sensitivity Among First-Time Fathers Moderates the Relationship Between Exposure to Stress During Birth and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms
Zerach, G., & Magal, O. (2016) · The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease · doi:10.1097/nmd.0000000000000482 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“8%were also consistent with those reported in other studies (Bradley and Slade, 2011).”
BackgroundResultInfluential
Posttraumatic Stress During Pregnancy and the Postpartum Period
Ayers, S., & Ford, E. (2014) · Oxford Handbooks Online · doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199778072.013.18 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Very few studies have examined this, and the evidence is limited to qualitative research or questionnaire surveys (Ayers, Wright, & Wells, 2007; Bradley & Slade, 2011; Nicholls & Ayers, 2007; White, 2007).”
Background
Forward progress of scientific inquiry into the early father-child relationship: introduction to the special issue on very young children and their fathers.
Bocknek, E., Hossain, Z., & Roggman, L. (2014) · Infant Mental Health Journal · doi:10.1002/imhj.21475 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Pregnant partners: Fathers of the Growing Up in New Zealand children
Pryor, J. E., Morton, S., Bandara, D. K., Robinson, E., & Grant, C. C. (2014) · Journal of Family Studies · doi:10.5172/jfs.2014.20.1.5 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
“Partners were contacted independently and showing evidence of anxiety and other mental health disorders (Bradley & Slade, 2011).”
Method
Improving mental health and physiological stress responses in mothers following traumatic childbirth and in their infants: study protocol for the Swiss TrAumatic biRth Trial (START)
Sandoz, V., Deforges, C., Stuijfzand, S., Epiney, M., Vial, Y., Sekarski, N., Messerli‐Bürgy, N., Ehlert, U., Graz, M. B., Harari, M. M., et al. (2019) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032469 · Cited by 21 · see citing works
Depression and anxiety in expectant and new fathers: longitudinal findings in Australian men.
Leach, L., Mackinnon, A., Poyser, C., & Fairweather-Schmidt, A. (2015) · The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science · doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.114.148775 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
“When I got the news”: Aboriginal fathers in the Kimberley region yarning about their experience of the antenatal period
Carlin, E., Cox, Z., Spry, E., Monahan, C., Marley, J., & Atkinson, D. (2020) · Health Promotion Journal of Australia · doi:10.1002/hpja.375 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Factors that influence father’s experiences of childbirth and their implications upon postnatal mental health: A narrative systematic review
McNab, E., Martin, C. J. H., & Norris, G. (2022) · Nurse Education in Practice · doi:10.1016/j.nepr.2022.103460 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Paternal and maternal long-term psychological outcomes after uterine artery embolization for severe post-partum hemorrhage
Bernasconi, M., Eggel‐Hort, B., Horsch, A., Vial, Y., Denys, A. L., Quibel, T., & Baud, D. (2021) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-021-92847-z · Cited by 24 · see citing works
Wirksamkeitsstudien zu Frühen Hilfen in Deutschland
Taubner, S., Münder, T., Unger, A., & Wolter, S. (2013) · Kindheit und Entwicklung · doi:10.1026/0942-5403/a000122 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Long-term effects of maternal postpartum depression on mothers’ and fathers’ parenting stress
Egmose, I., Tharner, A., Liebenberg, K. B., Steenhoff, T., & Væver, M. (2020) · Early Child Development and Care · doi:10.1080/03004430.2020.1755663 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“…(Wee, Skouteris, Pier, Richardson, & Milgrom, 2011) and parenting stress in fathers (Goodman, 2008; Kerstis, Nohlert, Öhrvik, & Widarsson, 2016; Vismara et al., 2016), which in turn is associated with less optimal father–child interactions and child behaviour problems (Bradley & Slade, 2011).”
Background
Development of a conceptual framework that identifies factors and challenges impacting perinatal fathers
Gemayel, D. J., Wiener, K., & Saliba, A. (2018) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2018.e00694 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“It is well established that parents are exposed to major life changes during the perinatal period (Bradley and Slade, 2011).”
Background
Health From a Gender Perspective
Sánchez-López, M. P., & Limiñana-Gras, R. M. (2017) · The Psychology of Gender and Health · doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-803864-2.00001-8 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
Postnatal depression: Student health visitors' perceptions of their role in supporting fathers
Oldfield, V., & Carr, H. (2017) · Journal of Health Visiting · doi:10.12968/johv.2017.5.3.143 · Cited by 12 · see citing works
“Several authors suggest that if maternal PND is prolonged, support from the father can be withdrawn, posing a risk factor to the child if both parents are suffering with low mood (Goodman, 2004; Spector, 2006; Bradley and Slade, 2011).”
BackgroundInfluential
Prevalence, symptomatology, risk factors and healthcare services utilization regarding paternal depression in Germany: study protocol of a controlled cross-sectional epidemiological study
Albicker, J., Hölzel, L. P., Bengel, J., Domschke, K., Kriston, L., Schiele, M. A., & Frank, F. (2019) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/s12888-019-2280-7 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Guidelines on prescribing psychotropic medication during the perinatal period
Romaine, E., & McAllister-Williams, H. (2018) · British Journal of Hospital Medicine · doi:10.12968/hmed.2019.80.1.27 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Risk, resilience, and depressive symptoms in low-income African American fathers.
Bamishigbin, O. N., Schetter, C. D., Guardino, C. M., Stanton, A. L., Schäfer, P., Shalowitz, M. U., Lanzi, R. G., Thorp, J. M., & Raju, T. N. K. (2016) · Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology · doi:10.1037/cdp0000088 · Cited by 29 · see citing works
“The prevalence of elevated depressive symptoms in new fathers is higher than among men in general (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Davé, Petersen, Sherr, & Nazareth, 2010; Garfield et al., 2014) and can act as a barrier to involvement in parenting (BronteTinkew, Moore, Matthews, & Carrano, 2007).”
Wellbeing Outcomes and Risk and Protective Factors for Parents with Migrant and Refugee Backgrounds from the Middle East in the First 1000 Days: A Systematic Review
Winter, A., Due, C., & Ziersch, A. (2023) · Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health · doi:10.1007/s10903-023-01510-4 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Fear of childbirth and its relationship with anxiety and depression among Iranian fathers: a descriptive study
Rashidi, F., Mirghafourvand, M., & Malakouti, J. (2023) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2023.2256785 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“The fathers considered themselves incompetent and were afraid that childbirth would endanger their wives’ health (Bradley & Slade, 2011).”
COVID-19 in Pregnancy and Early Childhood (COPE): study protocol for a prospective, multicentre biobank, survey and database cohort study
Carlsson, Y., Bergman, L., Zaigham, M., Lindén, K., Andersson, O., Veje, M., Sandström, A., Wikström, A., Östling, H., Fadl, H., et al. (2021) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-049376 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“27 This, in turn, may negatively influence the parent–infant bond and affect subsequent child development.”
Background
Longitudinal trajectories and associated risk factors of paternal mental illness in the nine years surrounding the transition to fatherhood
Scarlett, H., Wiernik, E., & van der Waerden, J. E. B. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.07.008 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Parental Coping, Representations, and Interactions with Their Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy
Kårstad, S. B., Bjørseth, Å., Lindstedt, J., Brenne, A. S., Steihaug, H., & Elvrum, A. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm12010277 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Providing mental healthcare for postpartum women in Indonesia: a qualitative phenomenological study
Fitriana, F., Ningtyas, W. S., & Dewi, E. R. (2022) · British Journal of Midwifery · doi:10.12968/bjom.2022.30.12.692 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
Correlates of symptoms of depression and anxiety among expectant and new fathers.
Sockol, L. E., & Allred, K. M. (2017) · Psychology of Men & Masculinity · doi:10.1037/men0000115 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“The reported prevalence of paternal anxiety disorders and elevated symptoms of anxiety ranges from 4.1% to 16.0% during pregnancy and from 2.4% to 18.0% during the first year postpartum (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Leach, Poyser, Cooklin, & Giallo, 2016).”
BackgroundInfluential
Post-traumatic stress disorder in women and their partners, following severe post-partum hemorrhage: A study protocol for a prospective cohort study
Scheepstra, K., van Steijn, M. V., Dijksman, L. M., & van Pampus, M. V. (2017) · doi:10.1080/2331205x.2017.1278840 · Cited by 8
Subjective Birth Experience and Person-Centred Care in Obstetrics: Study Protocol of the Prospective Mixed-Methods Research Project RESPECT
Vollert, B., Schurig, N., Zieß, V., Weise, V., Seefeld, L., Göbel, A., Birdir, C., Wimberger, P., & Garthus‐Niegel, S. (2025) · Geburtshilfe und Frauenheilkunde · doi:10.1055/a-2551-3705 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
‘Would I risk it again?’ The long-term impacts of a traumatic birth, as experienced by fathers
Charman, C., Masterson, C., & Russell, A. (2024) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2024.2346893 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Further improvements may result from use of the newly developed City Birth Trauma Scale Partner Version (Webb et al., 2021), which assesses for PTSD in fathers and other partners.”
Influential
“Crying on the Bus”: First Time Fathers’ Experiences of Distress on Their Return to Work
Hodgson, S., Painter, J., Kilby, L., & Hirst, J. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11091352 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“Positive intimate partner relationships have been shown to support parenting self-efficacy and parental autonomy and may be protective factors against mental health problems in both parents [36].”
Background
Paternal and Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Sensitivity: Links with Trajectories of Socioemotional Problems in Toddlerhood
Matte-Gagné, C., Bernier, A., Thériault-Couture, F., & Tarabulsy, G. M. (2024) · Research on Child and Adolescent Psychopathology · doi:10.1007/s10802-024-01200-1 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Some studies suggest that up to a third of men may experience elevated depressive symptoms in the first year after their baby's birth (Bradley & Slade, 2011).”
Mother-Father Differences in Risk Factors for Postnatal Psychological Distress: Results from the German SKKIPPI Cohort Study
Neumann, A., Bolster, M., Lisewski, N., Icke, K., Reinhold, T., Schlensog‐Schuster, F., Ludwig‐Körner, C., Kuchinke, L., Keil, T. O. P., Roll, S., et al. (2024) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-023-02748-0 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
“depression and anxiety disorders represent the most common psychological illnesses after birth (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Meltzer-Brody et al., 2018).”
Influential
Constructions of Motherhood and Fatherhood in Newspaper Articles on Maternal and Paternal Postpartum Depression
Alexander, E., & McMullen, L. (2014) · Gender and Language · doi:10.1558/genl.v9i2.17318 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“In these studies 20-50% of husbands developed PPD, or some other psychiatric illness, within the first year postpartum (Ballard & Davies, 1996; Bradley & Slade, 2011; Goodman, 2004; Melrose, 2010; In case, 2010).”
Background
Difficulties for Mothers: Home Care of Babies Born Preterm
Özberk, H., Çiçek, Ö., Ayar, D., & Okumuş, H. (2021) · Bezmialem Science · doi:10.14235/bas.galenos.2021.4177 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“By contrast, the depressed state of women during and after delivery may adversely affect the mental health of their spouses/partners and may disrupt family integrity (36).”
Which role for trait-anxiety in paternal perinatal depression? Preliminary results on healthy subjects
Carmela, M., Clara, L., Anna, M. M. R., Ivan, F., Clemente, C., Gianluca, P., Antonio, Z. R., & Antonio, B. (2020) · Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine · doi:10.1080/14767058.2020.1786514 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
“disorder and panic disorder), and obsessivecompulsive disorder is frequently observed, and this comorbidity could generate complex syndromes [9].”
Background
General, Interpersonal, and Gender Role Specific Risk Factors of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Fathers
Fentz, H. N., Simonsen, M., & Trillingsgaard, T. (2019) · Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology · doi:10.1521/jscp.2019.38.7.545 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Development and validation of the puppy blues scale measuring temporary affective disturbance resembling baby blues
Ståhl, A., Salonen, M. K., Hakanen, E., Mikkola, S., Sulkama, S., Lahti, J. M. T., & Lohi, H. (2024) · npj Mental Health Research · doi:10.1038/s44184-024-00072-z · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“Among these, the evidence is most robust for neuroticism 21,22 .”
Risk factors of paternal postpartum depression among Latino fathers: Treatment implications
Parchment, T. M., Paredes, T., Freeman, J. A., & Palacios, M. (2023) · Journal of Social and Personal Relationships · doi:10.1177/02654075231206410 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
“The consequences are their interactions with their children, their partners ’ interactions with them, and their children ’ s behavior (Bradley & Slade, 2011).”
Background
Maternal and paternal postpartum early mood and bonding
Castro, R. T. A., Anderman, C. P., O’Connor, T. G., Glover, V. A. S., & Kammerer, M. H. (2023) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2022.2159351 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“In the perinatal phase, men have been described as ‘invisible victims’ because their experiences in the postpartum period are not well known (Bradley & Slade, 2011; Glasser & Lerner-Geva, 2019; Hamilton & Harberger, 1992); particularly missing are reports about paternal ‘highs’ and ‘lows’ - defined…”
Background
Potentially traumatic childbirth experience, childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms, and the parent-infant relationship in non-birthing parents
Hunter, R., de Pascalis, L., Anders, K., & Slade, P. (2025) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-025-07200-3 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“Bradley and Slade [21] found no significant CB-PTSD symptoms in a sample of 199 non-birthing parents 72 h after they attended the birth of their infant.”
Self-citation
Kompetenzentwicklung in den Frühen Hilfen
Taubner, S. (2015) · Psychotherapeut (Berlin) · doi:10.1007/s00278-015-0054-3 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Associations Between Depression Symptoms and Spatial Restriction in Fathers and Mothers on Parental Leave: A GPS-Tracking Study
Cox, C., Værbak, N., & Parsons, C. E. (2026) · Clinical psychological science : a journal of the Association for Psychological Science · doi:10.1177/21677026261459934 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Paid Parental Leave in Serbia: The Gender Perspective
Čikić, J., Jovanović, T. S., Rajačić, A. B., Mijatov, M., Dragin, A., & Košić, K. (2024) · Studia Universitatis Babeş-Bolyai. Sociologia · doi:10.2478/subbs-2024-0004 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Men, mindsets and birth: results of a prospective longitudinal study
Hoffmann, L., Hilger, N., & Banse, R. (2024) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2024.2309374 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“After birth, fathers can develop symptoms of postpartum depression or posttraumatic stress (Bradley & Slade, 2011) and a more positive birth experience predicts stronger father-infant bonding in the first weeks after birth (Döblin et al., 2023).”
Impact Of A Specifically Designed Antenatal Class For First-Time Fathers On Their Experience Of ChildbirthPreprint
Cornet, I., de Tejada, B. M., & Guittier, M.-J. (2022) · Research Square · doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-1335707/v1 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“In their review of mental health problems in fathers following the birth of a child, Bradley and Slade [24] reported, among other factors, the negative in uence of the father’s psychological distress during pregnancy and of the poor social adjustment during their partner’s pregnancy.”
BackgroundInfluential
Fathers' perinatal mental health
Hanley, J., & Williams, M. (2020) · British Journal of Midwifery · doi:10.12968/bjom.2020.28.2.84 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Perinatal Mood Disorders
Mercer, J. (2020) · The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development · doi:10.1002/9781119171492.wecad231 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Fathers’ perinatal mental health: Impacts, interventions and supports
Rominov, H. (2017) · doi:10.4226/66/5a9dbe793362c · Cited by 1
“There is an emerging body of research on other perinatal mental health concerns among fathers, such as stress, trauma, and fatigue (e.g., Bradley & Slade, 2011; Cooklin, Giallo, & Rose, 2012; Giallo, Cooklin, Zerman, & Vittorino, 2013).”
BackgroundInfluential
Roles and postpartum distress: The mediating role of relationship adjustment
Boeding, S. E., Baucom, D., Cohen, M. J., Meltzer-Brody, S., & Brandon, A. (2017) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-017-9728-z
Aus der DGHWi - Stellungnahmen
Tegethoff, D. (2025) · Zeitschrift für Hebammenwissenschaft · doi:10.1007/s44476-025-00017-1
“Die S2k-Leitlinie „Harninkontinenz der Frau“ [12, 13] betont, dass trotz vorhandener Empfehlungen in der Praxis ein erheblicher Umsetzungsbedarf besteht.”
Influential
EMZİRME DESTEK MERKEZİ’NE BAŞVURAN EBEVEYNLERDE POSTPARTUM DEPRESYONLA İLİŞKİLİ FAKTÖRLERİN İNCELENMESİ
Çelik, M., Önal, F., Hasbay, E. T., & Yalçın, S. S. (2025) · Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi · doi:10.24938/kutfd.1683011
Fatherhood After Separation: Implications for Parent and Child Outcomes
Milius, H. L., Cho, B., & Klingman, A. M. (2025) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-025-03064-5 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“The perinatal period may be a particularly important time for intervention to improve fathers ’ psychological well-being, with a literature review ﬁ nding that up to one third of new fathers may experience depressive symptoms (Bradley & Slade, 2011).”
Narrative Exposure Therapy for a Traumatic Birth Experience With the Non-Birthing Parent: A Single Case Study
Peipert, A., Ward, M. J., & Miller, M. L. (2024) · Cognitive and Behavioral Practice · doi:10.1016/j.cbpra.2024.05.006 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
BABALARIN TRAVMATİK DOĞUM ALGILARI
GÜLEK, İ. B., & Özerdoğan, N. (2023) · KTO Karatay Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi · doi:10.59244/ktokusbd.1164252 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Einbezug der Väter in die stationäre Mutter-Kind-Therapie: „Mit Papa geht es besser“
Müller, J., & Taubner, S. (2021) · Psychotherapeut (Berlin) · doi:10.1007/s00278-021-00553-y
Part 1: exploring views from fathers and perinatal practitioners on the inclusion of fathers by perinatal services
Fenton, S., Joscelyne, T., & Higgins, S. (2021) · British Journal of Midwifery · doi:10.12968/bjom.2021.29.4.208 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
A Mini-Review on Paternal Postpartum Depression
Murray, F. L. (2021) · Open Access Journal of Addiction and Psychology · doi:10.33552/oajap.2021.04.000587
“Page 2 of 3 difficult communication between parents, financial stress, under or unemployment, poor father-child bonding or attachment, difficulty adjusting to parenthood [15-18].”
Background
Different Forms of Biological Fatherhood and their Association with Symptoms of Psychopathology
Frisch-Volkert, L. R., Waldvogel, P., & Ehlert, U. (2020) · Journal of Family Issues · doi:10.1177/0192513x20911071
“Postpartum psychosis or postpartum bipolar disorders are very rare (Bradley & Slade, 2011).”
Background
Transition to Parenthood
Young, C. (2020) · The Encyclopedia of Child and Adolescent Development · doi:10.1002/9781119171492.wecad203 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
Project ‘Fathering’: First-Time Fathers Talk About Parenting in a Global Economy
Sriram, R. (2018) · Fathering in India · doi:10.1007/978-981-13-1715-6_6
Depressione, ansia e stili paterni in un campione di padri con bambini nati pretermine
Odorisio, F., Patruno, C., & Tambelli, R. (2015) · PSICOLOGIA DELLA SALUTE · doi:10.3280/pds2015-002002
Paternal Struggles and Difficulties Seeking Support
Hodkinson, P., & Das, R. (2021) · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-66482-4_3
Perinatal Mental Health Issues: Key Factors and Evidence Base for the Planning and Management of Care for Women Experiencing Generalised Anxiety Disorder
Parker, J. (2021) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-3-030-58085-8_5

Authors: Bradley, R., & Slade, P.
Affiliations: Derbyshire Children's Hospital (GB)
University of Sheffield (GB)
Corresponding author: Bradley, Rachel
ORCID: Bradley, Rachel
Slade, Pauline
Venue: Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Published: 2011-02
Volume: 29
Issue: 1
Pages: 19-42
ISSN: 0264-6838 (ISSN-L)
1469-672X
DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2010.513047
OpenAlex: W2111692852
Cited by: 110
References: 64
Citations by year: 2026: 1 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 4 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 9 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 5 · 2012: 3
FWCI: 2.53
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Social Sciences › Demography › Family Dynamics and Relationships
Health Sciences › Health Professions › Pharmacy › Infant Health and Development
Keywords: paternal mental health, postpartum depression, fathers, postpartum anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, psychosis, parenting styles, intrusive thoughts, father-child interaction, couple relationships, child behavior

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review

A review of mental health problems in fathers following the birth of a child

Abstract

Integrity signals

Claims the paper makes

Claims other papers make about this one

Cites

Cited by

Record

About these checks