Parental psychological distress in the postnatal period in Japan: a population-based analysis of a national cross-sectional survey

Kenji Takehara,Tsuguhiko Kato,Maiko Suto

doi:10.1038/s41598-020-70727-2

Kenji Takehara, Tsuguhiko Kato + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-70727-2

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Abstract

Mental health assessments of both members of a couple are important when considering the child-rearing environment. The prevalence and factors associated with both parents’ psychological distress have not been fully investigated. A nationally representative sample from the 2016 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan was used to examine the prevalence of moderate and severe psychological distress in parents in the first year after childbirth. In total, 3,514 two-parent households raising children under one year old met the study criteria. The Japanese version of Kessler 6 was used to assess moderate and severe psychological distress. The prevalence of either or both parents experiencing psychological distress in the first year after birth were 15.1% and 3.4%, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed factors of fathers who worked ≥ 55 h a week, reduced duration of sleep in mothers, age in months of the youngest child, and high household expenditures were significantly associated with both parents simultaneously having moderate or severe psychological distress. This study implied the importance of prevention and early detection of parental psychological distress in both parents. Assessing parents’ psychological distress and work-style reform in the childcare period is an urgent issue to improve their mental health conditions.

Highlights

Mental health assessments of both members of a couple are important when considering the childrearing environment
We identified factors associated with both parents having moderate psychological distress (MPD) or severe psychological distress (SPD) at the same time during the first year postpartum using data from a nationwide population-based survey
The prevalence for either or both parents experiencing MPD or SPD in the first year after birth was 15.1% and 3.4%, respectively. The condition where both parents reported having MPD or SPD at the same time was associated with fathers worked 55 h or more per week, reduced hours of sleep, age in months of the youngest child, and high household expenditures

Summary

Introduction

Mental health assessments of both members of a couple are important when considering the childrearing environment. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed factors of fathers who worked ≥ 55 h a week, reduced duration of sleep in mothers, age in months of the youngest child, and high household expenditures were significantly associated with both parents simultaneously having moderate or severe psychological distress. The negative effects of paternal depression on maternal and child health have been indicated by previous studies. These include an increase in inappropriate parenting behaviour[7], impaired bonding with infants[8], less enriching parenting activities[9], adverse effects on emotional, behavioural, and psychosocial development in c hild[10,11], and depression in a dolescence[12]. Metropolitan City with a population of over 50,000 City with a population of less than 50,000 1 ≥ 2 Yes 0–3 months 3–6 months 6–9 months 9–12 months

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