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Depression and anger in fathers of unsettled infants: A community cohort study

Fallon Cook1,2, Rebecca Giallo1,2, Zvezdana Petrovic1

  • 1Parenting Research Centre, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|September 20, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Fathers experiencing unsettled infant behavior reported increased depressive symptoms and anger towards their infant by four months, with these issues persisting. Targeted interventions are needed for paternal mental health and infant care.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Paternal mental health is crucial for infant well-being.
  • Infant unsettled behavior can significantly impact parental stress and mental health.
  • Limited research exists on the specific challenges faced by fathers concerning infant sleep and behavior.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between unsettled infant behavior and fathers' depressive symptoms.
  • To explore the relationship between infant sleep and crying problems and fathers' cognitions (anger, doubt) about infant sleep.
  • To examine the link between infant behavior and fathers' own sleep quality and quantity.

Main Methods:

  • A community cohort of 102 fathers and their infants was studied.
  • Data were collected at infant ages of 4 weeks, 4 months, and 6 months.
  • Fathers reported on infant sleep/crying, their depressive symptoms, sleep cognitions, and personal sleep using adjusted regression models.

Main Results:

  • Infant sleep problems at 4 and 6 months correlated with increased paternal depressive symptoms, anger, and doubt.
  • Infant cry problems at 4 and 6 months were associated with paternal anger, doubt, and depressive symptoms.
  • Fathers reporting infant sleep issues also reported poorer personal sleep quantity and quality.

Conclusions:

  • Fathers of unsettled infants exhibit heightened depressive symptoms and anger by 4 months, which continue for at least two months.
  • Paternal mental health, particularly depressive symptoms and anger, is significantly linked to infant behavior and sleep problems.
  • Evidence-based interventions are necessary to support fathers facing these challenges.
Abstract

Keywords:
angercryingdepressionfathersunsettled infant

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