Paternal postnatal depression and received midwife, child health nurse, and maternal support: A cross-sectional analysis of primiparous and multiparous fathers

Abstract

Background: Fathers want more professional and social support during the transition to fatherhood. It is unclear if these supports are associated with decreased depressive symptoms in fathers of infants. Aim: The aim of the current study was to assess if fathers’ self-reported received professional and social support were related to changes in the odds for having depressive symptoms, with interaction terms focusing on differences of support based on the fathers’ parity. Methods: In total, 612 fathers from Sweden completed a Facebook-advertised anonymous online survey. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to detect depressive symptoms (≥10 points). Multiple imputation of missing data was performed. Logistic regressions were used, with interaction terms for fathers’ parity. Results: Around 21% of fathers had depressive symptoms. There were no associations between depressive symptoms frequencies and paternal parity. Fathers reported fewer depressive symptoms when they received professional support from the prenatal midwife (OR = .39, p = .007), labor/birth midwife/nurse team (OR = .42, p = .021), and child health nurse (OR = .25, p = .001), as well as social support from their partner and if they had a higher income (odds ratios vary in different models). Multiparous fathers received significantly less professional and social support and were less frequently invited to child health visits than primiparous fathers. Limitations: The data collected was cross-sectional; therefore, causal links cannot be determined. Conclusions: Both primiparous and multiparous fathers should receive postnatal depression screenings and interventions to help reduce their depressive symptoms.