Fathers with PTSD and depression in pregnancies complicated by preterm preeclampsia or PPROM

To assess prevalence and risk factors for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in fathers after early preeclampsia (PE) or preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM).

Partners of patients hospitalized for PE or PPROM and partners of healthy controls completed PTSD (PSS-SR) and depression (BDI-II) questionnaires during pregnancy (t 1) and 6 weeks postpartum (t 2). 85 of the 187 eligible men participated (51 partners of patients, 34 partners of control) at t 1, and 66 men participated both time points.

No significant differences were found between partners of patients and partners of controls in symptoms of PTSD and depression (t 1: p = 0.28 for PTSD and p = 0.34 for depression; t 2: p = 0.08 for PTSD and p = 0.31 for depression). For partners of patients, correlation between PTSD and depression sum-scores was 0.48 (p < 0.001) at t 1 and 0.86 (p < 0.001) at t 2. Within-couple correlation was low and not significant during pregnancy, but strong at postpartum (PSS-SR: r = 0.62, p < 0.001; BDI-II: r = 0.59, p < 0.001). Higher paternal age was associated with more symptoms of PTSD and depression postpartum in partners of patients. Symptoms of PTSD and depression during pregnancy predicted the occurrence of PTSD symptoms following childbirth in partners of patients.

Symptoms of PTSD and depression occurred at a similar rate in partners of women with PE or PPROM and partners of healthy pregnant controls. Symptoms of PTSD and depression during pregnancy predicted the occurrence of PTSD symptoms following childbirth. Increased paternal age predicted more symptoms of PTSD and depression postpartum. At 6 weeks postpartum, a strong association was found between men and women in symptoms of PTSD and depression.