Abstract
BackgroundThere is emerging evidence of the significance of paternal mental health problems among the expectant fathers during the antenatal and postnatal period. The present study aims at determining the prevalence of paternal perinatal anxiety and identifying its risk factors among the fathers.MethodsA total of 622 expectant fathers were recruited in Hong Kong. The expectant fathers were assessed using standardized and validated psychological instruments on three time points including early pregnancy, late pregnancy and 6 week postnatal. Independent samples t-test, one way ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression were used to examine the effect of hypothesized risk factors. Hierarchical multiple regression and mixed effect model were also conducted with potential confounding factors controlled for.ResultsResults showed that a significant proportion of expectant fathers experienced anxiety during the perinatal period. Low self-esteem and poor social support were found to be risk factors of paternal anxiety across pregnancy to postnatal period. Work-family conflict could significantly predict paternal anxiety in the pregnancy period.ConclusionsThe present study points to the need for greater research and clinical attention to paternal anxiety, given that it is a highly prevalent problem and could be detrimental to their partner’s well-being and children development. The present findings contributes to the theoretical understanding of the prevalence and risk factors of paternal perinatal anxiety and have implications for the design of effective identification, prevention, and interventions of these clinical problems.
Highlights
There is emerging evidence of the significance of paternal mental health problems among the expectant fathers during the antenatal and postnatal period
Response rate A total of 622 expectant fathers and mothers were recruited in the present study at first presentation to the
According to a large scale survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 2005, the 12 months prevalence of any anxiety disorder among United States’ male adults was 11 % using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria [28]
Summary
There is emerging evidence of the significance of paternal mental health problems among the expectant fathers during the antenatal and postnatal period. Matthey et al [7] included the diagnostic assessment for panic disorder and acute adjustment disorder with anxiety in a study conducted on expectant parents. They found that the rates of caseness increased by three folds in expectant mothers and three to six folds in expectant fathers over the rates for major or minor depression [7]. This study highlighted the need to assess anxiety in expectant fathers as it is widely recognized that paternal mental ill health could increase the risk of behavioral and emotional problems in children regardless of mother’s mood state [8, 9]
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