Paternal Depression in the Postnatal Period and Child Development: a Prospective Population Study

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Depression is common and frequently affects mothers and fathers of young children. Postnatal depression in mothers affects the quality of maternal care, and can lead to disturbances in their children's social, behavioural, cognitive, and physical development. However, the effect of depression in fathers during the early years of a child's life has received little attention. Our findings indicate that paternal depression has a specific and persisting detrimental effect on their children's early behavioural and emotional development.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15978928

Related Topics

  • Behavioral Health
  • Child Welfare
  • Fathers/Partners
  • Parenting
  • Trauma