Post partum depression and the psychosocial predictors in first-time fathers from northwestern China. (April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Yin-Ping; Zhang, Lu-Lu; Wei, Huan-Huan; Zhang, Yao; Zhang, Chun-Li; Porr, Caroline
• Is Part Of: Midwifery. Volume 35(2016)
• Page Start: 47
• Page End: 52
• Publication Date: 2016-04
• Subjects: First-time father -- Paternal post partum depression -- Psychosocial predictors; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Midwifery -- Periodicals; Sages-femmes -- Périodiques; Midwifery; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 618.2005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2016.01.005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-6138

Abstract

Abstract: Background: there is growing evidence that fathers also experience post partum depression (PPD). However, paternal PPD has been less studied than maternal PPD. Very few studies have investigated PPD in first-time fathers from northwestern China. Objective: the purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and predictors of depressive symptoms in first-time fathers from northwestern China. Methods: a longitudinal study was conducted involving 180 couples who were assessed at three time periods: 3 days, 2 weeks and 6 weeks after childbirth. Self-reported questionnaires including Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), and Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) were administered to all participants during each time period. Findings: after childbirth 35 (21.1%) of the fathers at 3 days, 32 (20.4%) at 2 weeks and 20 (13.6%) at 6 weeks, indicated that they suffered from PPD. Paternal parental sense of competence, paternal marital satisfaction, and maternal depressive symptoms were among the main predictors for paternal PPD. Conclusion: the study results suggest that paternal PPD is a significant public health concern. Health professionals should focus attention on the psychological health among new fathers during the postpartum period; and, the psychosocial predictors should be considered and incorporated into clinical assessment and intervention of paternal PPD. Highlights: We conducted a longitudinal study involving 180 post partum couples from northwestern China. We explored the occurrence of paternal PPD of first-time fathers at three postpartum time periods. The discovery of the occurrence of paternal PPD among fathers from northwestern China is a significant public health concern. We identified psychological predictors of paternal PPD at three separate postpartum time periods.