Factors Associated with Fathers’ Mental Health Difficulties in an Australian Help-Seeking Sample

Abstract

Fathers are at increased risk of mental health difficulties such as depression during the first postnatal year, however little is currently known about the extent to which fathers experience symptoms of anxiety and stress, and the factors associated with these symptoms. This study aimed to: (1) investigate the extent to which fathers accessing support to strengthen their coparenting relationship through a community health organisation experience depressive, anxiety and stress symptoms during the first postnatal year, and (2) examine associations between a broad range of individual, child, and family factors and fathers’ depressive, anxiety, and stress symptoms during the first postnatal year. This study involved secondary analysis of routinely collected data from 170 fathers of children aged 0–12 months who were enroled in a coparenting intervention programme delivered by a community health organisation in Melbourne, Australia. Elevated symptoms of stress were reported by ~28% of fathers, while elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety were reported by ~26% and 16% of fathers, respectively. Multiple regression analyses revealed evidence for associations between reduced parental self-efficacy and higher depressive and stress symptoms, while infant regulation difficulties and increased interparental conflict were associated with higher levels of stress. This study highlights that fathers are at risk of mental health difficulties during the first postnatal year. Findings demonstrate the importance of undertaking a broad assessment of fathers’ mental health during the first postnatal year and provide important insights into individual, child, and family factors that may represent optimal targets for prevention and early intervention.