Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
Is paternal postpartum depression associated with maternal postpartum depression? Population-based study in Brazil
R T Pinheiro1, P V S Magalhães, B L Horta
1Programa de Pós-graduação em Saúde e Comportamento Universidade Católica de Pelotas, Pelotas, Brazil.
Objective:
To describe the prevalence of paternal postpartum depression (PPD) as well as its association with maternal PPD.
Method:
A population-based random sample of 386 couples was assessed from the sixth to the 12th week postpartum for demographic characteristics, alcohol misuse (AUDIT) and depressive symptoms [Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)]. Logistic regression was employed to control for potential confounders.
Results:
In the BDI, 26.3% of mothers and 11.9% of fathers scored above the selected threshold of 10. Mild maternal depression [odds ratio (OR) 3.31, 95% CI 1.52-7.20] and moderate to severe maternal depression (OR 8.44, 95% CI 3.53-20.21) were associated with paternal PPD.
Conclusion:
Paternal PPD is a clinically meaningful phenomenon. Fathers should be evaluated for mood disorders in the postpartum, especially when their partner is depressed.
