Paternal Depressive Symptoms Research Articles

The interplay of maternal and paternal postpartum depressive symptoms with children's internalizing and externalizing symptoms from childhood to adolescence: does socioeconomic status matter? Alongitudinal cohort study.

Maternal postpartum depression is an important risk factor for internalizing and externalizing problems in children. The role of concurrent paternal depression remains unclear, especially by socioeconomic status. This study examined independent and interactive associations of postpartum maternal and paternal depression with children's internalizing/externalizing symptoms throughout childhood and adolescence (ages 3.5-17 years). We used data from the Québec Longitudinal Study of Child Development, a representative birth cohort (1997-1998) in Canada. Data included self-reported maternal and paternal depressive symptoms at 5 months' postpartum using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Internalizing and externalizing symptoms in children were reported by parents, teachers and children/adolescents using the Social Behaviour Questionnaire (ages 3.5-13 years) and the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation Assessment for Adolescents (ages 15-17 years). We used three-level mixed effects modelling to test associations after adjusting for confounding factors. With 168 single-parent families excluded, our sample consisted of 1,700 families with useable data. Of these, 275 (16.2%) families reported maternal depression (clinically elevated symptoms), 135 (7.9%) paternal depression and 39 (2.3%) both. In families with high socioeconomic status, maternal depression was associated with greater child internalizing (β = .34; p < .001) and externalizing symptoms (β = .22; p = .002), regardless of the presence/absence of paternal depression. In families with low socioeconomic status, associations with symptoms were stronger with concurrent paternal depression (internalizing, β = .84, p < .001; externalizing, β = .71, p = .003) than without (internalizing, β = .30, p < .001; externalizing, β = .24, p = .002). Maternal depression increases the risk for children's internalizing/externalizing problems in all socioeconomic contexts. In families with low socioeconomic status, risks were exacerbated by concurrent paternal depression. Postpartum depression, especially in low socioeconomic environments, should be a primary focus to optimize mental health across generations.

Prospective Associations of Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Emotion Dysregulation with Children's Internalizing Problems: The Moderating Role of Fathers.

Parents, including fathers, contribute to the early development of internalizing symptoms, which is observable and prevalent among young children. This longitudinal study examined the moderating role of paternal depressive symptoms/emotion dysregulation in the prospective associations between maternal depressive symptoms/emotion dysregulation and children's internalizing problems (depressive and anxiety symptoms). Ninety-four preschoolers and their mothers and fathers participated. Parents completed online questionnaires when their children were four years old and one year later. Results indicated that higher paternal depressive symptoms were associated with an increase, while lower paternal symptoms were associated with a decrease, in the negative impact of maternal emotion dysregulation on children's later depressive, but not anxiety, symptoms. We also tested the moderating role of paternal emotion dysregulation, these pathways were not significant. The findings enhance our understanding of the interaction between maternal and paternal psychological characteristics in contributing to children's anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Bidirectional Longitudinal Relationship Between Perceived Paternal and Maternal Mindful Parenting and Depressive Symptoms in Children

Bidirectional Longitudinal Relationship Between Perceived Paternal and Maternal Mindful Parenting and Depressive Symptoms in Children

How paternal MDD history and depression symptoms affect offspring's OGM

How paternal MDD history and depression symptoms affect offspring's OGM

Paternal depressive symptoms and factors associated among expectant fathers in a northeastern province of Thailand

Globally, depression is a major mental health problem among expectant fathers. Therefore, factors associated with paternal depressive symptoms (PDS) need investigation. This hospital-based cross-sectional study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with PDS among expectant fathers in a northeastern province of Thailand. In the north-eastern province, Sakon Nakhon, 440 expectant fathers from eight hospitals participated in the study by completing a questionnaire related to socio-demographic characteristics, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), psychosocial factors and social support. An EPDS score of at least eleven out of 30 was interpreted as having PDS. Multivariable linear regression analysis was applied with a statistical significance at 0.05, and the coefficient β was presented. In total, 81 expectant fathers (18.4%, 95% confidence interval 14.6–22.3) had PDS, and the mean (standard deviation) of the EPDS score was 6.65 (4.25). Insufficient money (β = − 0.099, p = 0.016), marital adjustment (β = − 0.098, p = 0.027), self-esteem (β = − 0.150, p < 0.001), wife’s stress (β = 0.079, p = 0.049), and expectant father’s stress (β = 0.400, p < 0.001) were factors independently associated with PDS. In conclusion, screening expectant fathers during the pregnancy period of their wives is essential, and factors associated with PDS should not be neglected by healthcare providers. Also, there is need of an intervention program to prevent the symptoms, especially for expectant fathers having insufficient money or having stress.

Examining the (lack of) evidence on physical activity for paternal postnatal depression: A call to action

Background and aimsPrevious research has linked physical activity to a reduced risk of postnatal depressive symptoms in mothers. Despite up to 13% of fathers experiencing postnatal depressive symptoms, little is known about the association with physical activity in fathers. This study aimed to systematically examine the evidence investigating the association between physical activity and paternal postnatal depressive symptoms, and provide suggestions to support advancing the field. MethodsA systematic search of original research articles investigating the association between physical activity and paternal postnatal depressive symptoms was conducted using six electronic databases in October 2021 and updated in June 2023. ResultsA total of two intervention studies (both randomized controlled trials) were identified. Neither study focused specifically on physical activity but both found that lifestyle-based training had a positive effect on antenatal and postnatal depressive and anxiety symptoms in fathers. ConclusionResearch investigating the association between physical activity and paternal postnatal depressive symptoms is scarce. Fathers are a target group who are likely to benefit from alternative/adjunct mental health strategies such as physical activity, therefore future research investigating physical activity and its association with paternal postnatal depressive symptoms is urgently needed.

Environmental mediating mechanisms in the associations between parental depressive symptoms and preschoolers internalizing problems: results from a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Children with a parent who suffers from depression are more likely to develop internalizing problems themselves. Moreover, poverty is an additional risk factor for child internalizing problems. According to models of intergenerational transmission of depression, various environmental mechanisms may account for this transmission. However, very few studies have included multiple mediators, as well as both parents in low-income samples. In this study of low-income families, we measured parental depressive symptoms, child internalizing problems, and examined three potential mediators: parent-child interaction quality, spouse’s depressive symptoms, and coparenting conflict. Results indicated that the transmission of paternal depressive symptoms to child internalizing problems was entirely accounted for by these three mediators. The transmission of maternal depressive symptoms to child internalizing problems was mediated partially by coparenting conflict, but this link remained largely direct. These results underscore the need to consider both parents and coparenting conflict in clinical interventions targeting internalizing problems among preschoolers.

Parent and adolescent depressive symptom among a national sample of Chinese families: The chained mediating roles of parental involvement and parent–child attachment

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine the relationships between paternal and maternal depressive symptoms and adolescent depressive symptoms. Subsequently, the study investigated the chained mediating effects of parental involvement and parent–child attachment. MethodsAs part of the national survey in China, fathers, mothers, and adolescents from 700 families across the country were included in this study. Fathers and mothers reported their depressive symptoms and parental involvement, while adolescents rated the level of paternal attachment, maternal attachment, and depressive symptoms. ResultsPaternal depressive symptoms were related to adolescent depressive symptoms through the mediation effect of paternal attachment, maternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and paternal attachment, and the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and maternal attachment. Maternal depressive symptoms were related to adolescent depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of paternal attachment, maternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and paternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of paternal involvement and maternal attachment, the chained mediating effects of maternal involvement and paternal attachment, and the chained mediating effects of maternal involvement and maternal attachment. Additionally, both paternal and maternal depressive symptoms were significantly directly related to adolescent depressive symptoms. Overall, maternal depressive symptoms had a greater impact on adolescent depressive symptoms than paternal depressive symptoms. ConclusionsThe findings support the impacts of parental depressive symptoms on child depressive symptoms through the mediating effects of parental involvement and parent–child attachment. This study provides targeted recommendations for intervention programs.

Paternal and Maternal Depressive Symptoms and Sensitivity: Links with Trajectories of Socioemotional Problems in Toddlerhood.

Parental depressive symptoms and sensitivity have well-documented consequences for children; however, studies considering both parents are still scarce. This longitudinal study aimed to investigate the respective roles of paternal and maternal depressive symptoms and sensitivity in predicting the development of child socioemotional problems during toddlerhood. We also investigated the buffering role of each parent's sensitivity in the associations between the other parent's depressive symptoms and toddlers' socioemotional problems. The sample consisted of 140 Canadian families who were visited in their homes when children were around 13 (T1), 19 (T2), and 27 (T3) months of age. At T1, both parents' sensitivity was assessed from observations of parent-child interactions at home and each parent reported on his or her own depressive symptoms. At T1, T2, and T3, maternal and paternal perceptions of their toddler's socioemotional problems were assessed and aggregated. Growth curve analyses revealed that paternal and maternal depressive symptoms as well as paternal sensitivity were unique and persistent predictors of child socioemotional problems and that sensitive fathering acted as a buffer in the context of maternal depressive symptoms. This study highlights the importance of considering both parents when studying risk and protective factors for young children's socioemotional problems.

Coparenting as a family-level construct: Parent and child inputs across the first two years.

This study examined the effects of infant negative affectivity (NA) and maternal and paternal depressive symptoms on fathers' and mothers' perceptions of coparenting across the first 2 years following an infant's birth. A total of 147 two-parent families (most couples were White, married, and living together) with healthy, full-term infants were recruited. At each time point, fathers and mothers separately reported their coparenting perceptions via the Coparenting Relationship Scale and their depressive symptoms using the depression subscale of Symptom Checklist-90-Revised. Mothers also reported their children's NA via the Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised at 3 to 12 months and the Early Child Behavior Questionnaire at 18 and 24 months. Findings from growth curve models in an actor-partner interdependence model framework suggested that among parents with higher depression, there were steeper declines in coparenting quality reported by parents and their spouses across 3-24 months. In addition, three separate two-way interactions between variables including higher-than-usual parental and spousal depression, as well as higher-than-usual infant NA predicted poorer-than-usual coparenting experiences. Findings indicate that coparenting is a dynamically unfolding construct that is impacted by ongoing changes in the parents' social-ecological niche and suggest the need to consider both parent and child characteristics, and to include spousal influences, to get a comprehensive, whole-family understanding of levels and changes in coparenting relationships. The findings also confirm that coparenting dynamics may benefit from interventions engaging both couples and addressing multiple risk factors from both parents (e.g., depression) and children (e.g., NA).

Peripartum Depressive Symptoms in Fathers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Background: This research investigates peripartum depression in fathers during COVID-19, focusing on how pandemic-related distress is associated with paternal depressive symptoms and the quality of father-child feeding interactions. The primary objective was to understand if the pandemic has influenced depressive symptoms in new fathers and how these symptoms impact their interactions with their children, especially during feeding. Methods: Utilizing a cross-sectional design, the research employs online surveys and remote observation to gather data from 243 Italian fathers. The analysis involves established psychometric tools like the Symptoms Check-List/90R and the Peritraumatic Distress Index to assess the severity of depressive symptoms and their correlation with father-child interaction exchanges, observed through the SVIA. Results: The fathers' peritraumatic distress due to COVID-19 was significantly and positively associated with the level of their depressive symptoms and negatively correlated with the quality of their feeding interactions with their children. Moreover, elevated levels of peritraumatic stress were notably predictive of higher instances of depressive symptoms in the fathers. Further, higher levels of stress associated with COVID-19 were predictive of a poorer quality of father-child interactions. Conclusions: This research highlights the need for inclusive perinatal support programs, offering foundational insights into paternal mental health during pandemics.

Work and family conflicts, depressive symptoms and coparenting conflict behaviours: An interdependent approach

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the relationships between work and family conflicts, specifically work‐to‐family and family‐to‐work conflicts, parental depressive symptoms and coparenting conflict behaviours during the COVID‐19 pandemic. This national survey study involved the participation of 830 families in mainland China, including fathers, mothers and adolescents. Fathers and mothers provided self‐reports on their experiences of work‐to‐family conflicts, family‐to‐work conflicts and depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, adolescents reported their perceptions of coparenting conflict behaviours exhibited by both fathers and mothers. The Actor‐Partner Interdependence Mediation Model was employed to analyse these relationships. In the Actor‐Partner Interdependence Mediation Model, paternal family‐to‐work conflicts were found to be positively associated with both paternal and maternal coparenting conflict behaviours, mediated through paternal depressive symptoms. Similarly, maternal family‐to‐work conflicts were positively linked to both paternal and maternal coparenting conflict behaviours, mediated through maternal depressive symptoms. Additionally, paternal family‐to‐work conflicts exhibited a direct positive relationship with both paternal and maternal coparenting conflict behaviours. However, paternal work‐to‐family conflicts demonstrated a direct negative association with paternal coparenting conflict behaviours. This study sheds light on the complex interconnectedness between work and family conflicts, parental depressive symptoms and coparenting conflict behaviours during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The findings highlight the importance of addressing work and family conflicts in understanding and managing coparenting dynamics, particularly during challenging times such as a pandemic. Such insights can inform interventions and support systems to promote healthier coparenting relationships and family well‐being.

No evidence for relationship between paternal post-partum depressive symptoms and testosterone or cortisol in first-time fathers.

Male life history strategies are regulated by the neuroendocrine system. Testosterone (T) and cortisol regulate male behaviors including parenting and facilitate managing tradeoffs at key transitions in development such as first-time fatherhood. Both hormones demonstrate marked fluctuations in the postnatal period, and this presents an opportunity to investigate the role of T and cortisol in postpartum depressive symptoms-comparably less studied in fathers than in mothers in the evolutionary literature. Prior work on depressive symptoms has yet to integrate insights from the "dual hormone hypothesis (DHH)" which has focused on how T and cortisol interact to jointly regulate traits associated with dominance and status-seeking (i.e., mating effort) but has yet to be included in models of parenting effort. In this research, we use secondary data to investigate the relationship between DHH and traits ostensibly opposed to status seeking (i.e., depressive symptoms). First-time fathers (n = 193) provided morning saliva samples 10 months following parturition and reported on the presence of depressive symptoms (BDI-II). Responses were decomposed into three factors: cognitive, affective, and somatic. Using hybrid latent variable structural equation modeling, we did not find evidence that T predicted variability in cognitive, affective, or somatic depressive symptom factors. We found a null effect for cortisol as well. Finally, we could not find evidence that the DHH variable (T × cortisol interaction) predicted any variability in cognitive, affective, or somatic depressive symptoms. While we did not find evidence to support our hypotheses using a secondary data set, this study contributes to research on the neuroendocrinology of depression in fathers. Discussion focuses on the limitations of sample demographics, timing of saliva and self-report collection, and the lack of extant theory specific to paternal postpartum depression.

Prenatal paternal anxiety symptoms predict child DHEA levels and internalizing symptoms during adrenarche.

This study examined (1) whether measures of paternal anxious and depressive symptoms collected prenatally and during a follow-up assessment when the child was in middle childhood, predict child neuroendocrine outcomes, and (2) whether neuroendocrine outcomes are intermediate factors between paternal mental health and child cognitive/behavioral outcomes. Middle childhood coincides with increased autonomy as the child transitions into grade school, and with adrenarche, as the maturing adrenal gland increases secretion of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfated metabolite (DHEA-S), hormones that are implicated in corticolimbic development which regulate emotions and cognition. Participants were recruited from a subsample of a large prospective birth cohort study (3D study). We conducted a follow-up study when children were 6-8 years old (N = 61 families, 36 boys, 25 girls). Parental symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression were assessed via validated self-report questionnaires: prenatally using an in-house anxiety questionnaire, the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D), and at the follow up, using the Beck Anxiety and Beck Depression Inventories. Children provided salivary hormone samples, and their pituitary gland volume was measured from structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans. Child behaviors were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and cognitive outcomes using the WISC-V. Multiple regression analyses were used to test whether paternal mental health symptoms assessed prenatally and during childhood are associated with child neuroendocrine outcomes, adjusting for maternal mental health and child sex. Indirect-effect models assessed whether neuroendocrine factors are important intermediates that link paternal mental health and cognitive/behavioral outcomes. (1) Fathers' prenatal anxiety symptoms predicted lower DHEA levels in the children, but not pituitary volume. (2) Higher prenatal paternal anxiety symptoms predicted higher child internalizing symptoms via an indirect pathway of lower child DHEA. No associations were detected between paternal anxiety symptoms measured in childhood, and neuroendocrine outcomes. No child sex differences were detected on any measure. These results highlight the often-overlooked role of paternal factors during pregnancy on child development, suggesting that paternal prenatal anxiety symptoms are associated with child neuroendocrine function and in turn internalizing symptoms that manifest at least up to middle childhood.

Paternal postnatal depression and parenting behaviours in the first year of life.

Paternal postnatal depression (PPD) symptomology has been positively associated with poorer outcomes for children. One mechanism by which PPD is thought to influence child outcomes is through parenting. The current study investigated the association between paternal postnatal depressive symptoms and parenting behaviours. Fathers (N = 213) with an infant (mean age = 7months, 46% female) between 2 and 12 months old were recruited through community and social media advertisements, as well as a paid survey recruitment website. Fathers completed a questionnaire on their symptoms of PPD and how they care for and raise their child (parental warmth, irritability, engagement in enrichment, play and safety behaviours). Fathers experiencing greater levels of PPD symptomatology self-reported higher irritability, lower warmth and fewer safe parenting behaviours but did not report lower enrichment or play with their infants. Overall, findings suggest that PPD symptomology may impact negatively on aspects of fathers' parenting behaviours. Further research using larger and more diverse samples is needed to assess the generalisability of these findings.

Longitudinal associations between paternal mental health and child behavior and cognition in middle childhood.

Paternal mental health has been associated with adverse consequences on offspring psychosocial development, and family environmental factors may partly explain those associations. To clarify this, we need comprehensive prospective studies, particularly in middle-childhood when the child enters school and is expected to make use of behavioral and cognitive skills as part of their interactions and learning. Using data from a sub-sample of the prospective 3D birth cohort study comprised of mother-father-child triads, and a follow-up of the parents and the children at 6-8 years of age (n = 61; 36 boys, 25 girls), we examined whether paternal anxious and depressive symptoms measured during the pregnancy period (i.e., prenatally) or concurrently when the child was assessed at 6-8 years old were associated with children's cognition/behavior. In contrast to our hypotheses, we found that greater prenatal paternal depressive symptoms predicted fewer child behavioral difficulties; and that greater concurrent childhood paternal depression or anxiety symptoms were associated with higher child full-scale IQ, controlling for the equivalent maternal mental health assessment and parental education. Father parenting perception did not mediate these associations, nor were they moderated by maternal mental health at the concurrent assessment, or paternal ratings of marital relationship quality. These findings suggest that higher symptoms of paternal mental health symptoms are associated with fewer child behavioral difficulties and higher cognitive performance in middle childhood. Potential clinical implications and future research directions are discussed.

Paternal bonding is influenced by prenatal paternal depression and trait-anxiety

ABSTRACT Background Even though the development of an emotional bond to the child involves both parents, studies on the development of paternal bonding and the influencing factors are scarce. This pilot study examines the quality of paternal postnatal bonding in association with paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms before and after birth. Methods: Expecting parents (n = 81) were recruited from maternity services in Frankfurt, Germany. At recruitment and 3 months postpartum (pp) mothers and fathers completed an interview including sociodemographic and pregnancy data. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were screened using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. At 3-month pp, fathers also completed the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire for the assessment of bonding difficulties. A total of 63 couples, from whom data were available for both time points, were included in the final study group. Results Depressive and anxiety symptoms before birth are the best predictors for the quality of paternal bonding pp (Total score R2 .402 p = .001; Impaired bonding R2 .299 p = .019; Rejection and Anger R2 .353 p = .005; Anxiety about care R2 .457 p = .000). Maternal depression and sociodemographic variables were not significantly associated. Limitations High selected small study group. Conclusions Paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during pregnancy are highly predictive for the quality of bonding as well as for the presence of depressive and anxiety symptoms 3 month pp. It is necessary to identify these symptoms as soon as possible in order to prevent later negative impacts on parental mental health and on child developmental outcomes.

Maternal and paternal depressive symptoms and parental vocalisation behaviours in infancy: findings from UK-based birth cohort

BackgroundBoth maternal and paternal postnatal depression (PND) are associated with increased risk of less optimal offspring developmental outcomes. Early exposure to differences in maternal and paternal vocalisation behaviours associated with maternal and paternal PND may be important in this relationship. However, little research has captured vocalisation patterns at home without researchers present.ObjectivesThis study sought to examine the associations between maternal and paternal PND and various aspects of parental vocalisation behaviours.MethodsMothers (n = 104) and fathers (n = 34) of six-months old infants from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children Generation-2 (ALSPAC-G2) provided video footage of mother- and father-infant interactions filmed at home using the head-worn video cameras (headcams) without the need for researchers to be present. Twenty-five mother-infant and father-infant interactions were coded on multiple aspects of parental and infant vocalisation behaviours using the micro-behavioural observational coding system. Parental (PND) was measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS; total score).ResultsFrequencies and duration of vocalisation behaviours were similar in mothers and fathers. However, there was an indication that fathers demonstrated higher frequency and duration of commands, exclamations and ironic/sarcastic tone, and criticisms compared to mothers, while mothers engaged in more teaching compared to fathers. Linear regression models indicated that maternal and paternal PND were not associated with the majority of vocalisation behaviours. However, there were some specific patterns observed, mostly related to the emotional tone of the vocalisations. Higher levels of maternal PND were associated with lower frequency of speech in a neutral tone, frequency and duration of use of humour, and increased duration of speech in a positive tone. Higher levels of paternal PND were associated with higher mean duration of speech, infant-directed speech, higher frequency and duration of laughing, and increased duration of speech using questions and encouragement.ConclusionThese findings extend existing research by investigating the associations between maternal and paternal PND and a wide range of vocalisation behaviours captured and coded using innovative methods and in a more ecologically valid way than previous studies.

Association of maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety with infant development: A longitudinal study

BackgroundMaternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety are theorised to adversely impact infant development. Yet, few studies have assessed both mental health symptoms and clinical diagnoses within the one study. Moreover, research on fathers is limited. This study therefore aimed to examine the association between symptoms and diagnoses of maternal and paternal perinatal depression and anxiety with infant development. MethodData were from the Triple B Pregnancy Cohort Study. Participants included 1539 mothers and 793 partners. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales. Major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, and agoraphobia were assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview in trimester three. Infant development was assessed at 12-months using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. ResultsAntepartum, maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer infant social-emotional (d = −0.11, p = .025) and language development (d = −0.16, p = .001). At 8-weeks postpartum, maternal anxiety symptoms were associated with poorer overall development (d = −0.11, p = .030). No association was observed for clinical diagnoses in mothers, nor paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms or clinical diagnoses; albeit risk estimates were largely in the expected direction of adverse effects on infant development. ConclusionsEvidence suggests that maternal perinatal depression and anxiety symptoms may adversely impact infant development. Effects were small but findings underscore the importance of prevention, early screening and intervention, alongside consideration of other risk factors during early critical periods.

Factors associated with new onset of father-to-infant bonding failure from 1 to 6 months postpartum: an adjunct study of the Japan environment and children's study.

This study aimed to determine the factors associated with new onset father-to-infant (paternal) bonding failure from 1 to 6 months postpartum. This was a prospective birth-cohort study. Paternal bonding failure was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Mother-to-Infant Bonding Scale (MIBS-J) at 1 and 6 months postpartum. For cut-off scores, overall bonding failure, MIBS-J total scores ≥ 5; subscale for lack of affection, MIBS-J_LA scores ≥ 3; and subscale for anger/rejection, MIBS-J_AR scores ≥ 3 were used in this study. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to analyze relative variables. We analyzed 872 fathers. The frequency of new-onset overall bonding failure, lack of affection, and anger/rejection was 5.6%, 4.9%, and 6.3%, respectively. For new-onset overall bonding failure, significant associated factors were paternal childcare leave (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 3.192; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.203-8.469), paternal new-onset depression symptoms (AOR 3.181; 95% Cl 1.311-7.716), and maternal new-onset overall bonding failure (AOR 4.595; 95% Cl 1.119-18.866). For new-onset lack of affection, significant associated factors were preterm birth (AOR 4.189; 95% Cl 1.473-11.913) and paternal new-onset depression symptoms (AOR 3.290; 95% Cl 1.294-8.362). For new-onset anger and rejection, significant associated factors were paternal childcare leave (AOR 3.142; 95% Cl 1.138-8.676), paternal new-onset depression symptoms (AOR 2.829; 95% Cl 1.133-7.068), and maternal new-onset anger/rejection (AOR 7.064; 95% Cl 2.300-21.700). The factors associated with new-onset paternal bonding failure from 1 to 6 months postpartum were paternal childcare leave, preterm birth, paternal postpartum depression symptoms, and maternal bonding failure.