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Paternal postnatal depressive symptoms, infant sleeping and feeding behaviors, and rigid parental regulation: a

Wendell D Cockshaw1, Tracey Muscat, Patricia L Obst

  • 1School of Psychology and Counselling, Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology , Brisbane , Australia.

Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|October 1, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Infant feeding difficulties are linked to paternal postnatal depression (PND). Fathers struggling with infant feeding may experience role incongruence, contributing to PND. This highlights the importance of infant feeding in paternal mental health.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Family Studies

Background:

  • Paternal postnatal depression (PND) impacts family well-being.
  • Infant temperament, sleep, and feeding problems are linked to maternal PND, but less is known about paternal PND.
  • Understanding paternal PND predictors is crucial for early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate depressive symptoms in fathers.
  • To identify infant-related predictors of paternal PND, including sleep and feeding problems, and temperament.
  • To examine the moderating role of parenting beliefs on the relationship between infant factors and paternal PND.

Main Methods:

  • 219 fathers of infants (1-24 weeks) completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS).
  • Infant feeding difficulties, sleep problems, and temperament were assessed.
  • Partner support, other support, life events, and parenting rigidity were control variables.

Main Results:

  • Infant feeding difficulties were significantly associated with paternal depressive symptoms.
  • This association explained variance previously attributed to sleep problems and infant temperament.
  • Parenting beliefs regarding infant regulation did not moderate this relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Infant feeding is a critical factor for fathers' mental health.
  • Difficulties in infant feeding may challenge fathers' idealized roles, potentially leading to role incongruence and PND.
  • Addressing infant feeding issues could be a target for preventing paternal postnatal depression.

Keywords:
Infant feedinginfant regulation problemsinfant sleepingpaternal postnatal depressionregulation beliefs

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