A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF INTERVENTIONS TARGETING PATERNAL MENTAL HEALTH IN THE PERINATAL PERIOD
Holly Rominov1, Pamela D Pilkington1, Rebecca Giallo2
1Australian Catholic University.
Insights
This review found that some interventions for paternal perinatal mental health, like psychosocial and massage techniques, show promise. However, couple-based approaches did not demonstrate significant effects, and more rigorous research is needed.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Paternal mental health interventions
- Systematic review
Background:
- Perinatal mental illness poses risks to parents and infants.
- Most existing interventions focus on mothers, neglecting fathers.
- Paternal mental health during the perinatal period requires targeted support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review interventions for paternal perinatal mental health.
- To evaluate the evidence for preventing or treating paternal mental illness.
- To identify effective intervention strategies for fathers.
Main Methods:
- Systematic search of electronic databases for relevant peer-reviewed studies.
- Inclusion of studies describing interventions targeting fathers' perinatal mental health.
- Analysis of mental health outcomes including depression, anxiety, stress, and psychological functioning.
Main Results:
- Eleven studies were identified and analyzed.
- Three of five psychosocial interventions showed significant positive effects.
- Three massage-technique interventions reported significant effects, while couple-based interventions did not.
- Methodological limitations included poor reporting of study designs and intervention timing.
Conclusions:
- Certain psychosocial and massage-based interventions show potential for improving paternal perinatal mental health.
- Couple-based interventions require further investigation.
- Future research should employ more rigorous methodologies to enhance the evaluation of father-focused perinatal mental health interventions.
Abstract:
Interventions targeting parents' mental health in the perinatal period are critical due to potential consequences of perinatal mental illness for the parent, the infant, and their family. To date, most programs have targeted mothers. This systematic review explores the current status and evidence for intervention programs aiming to prevent or treat paternal mental illness in the perinatal period. Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify peer-reviewed studies that described an intervention targeting fathers' mental health in the perinatal period. Mental health outcomes included depression, anxiety, and stress as well as more general measures of psychological functioning. Eleven studies were identified. Three of five psychosocial interventions and three massage-technique interventions reported significant effects. None of the couple-based interventions reported significant effects. A number of methodological limitations were identified, including inadequate reporting of study designs, and issues with the timing of interventions. The variability in outcomes measures across the studies made it difficult to evaluate the overall effectiveness of the interventions. Father-focused interventions aimed at preventing perinatal mood problems will be improved if future studies utilize more rigorous research strategies.
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