A descriptive qualitative study exploring the experiences of fathers with partners suffering from maternal perinatal...

The onset of maternal perinatal depression poses many challenges for fathers, yet in Singapore and Asia, the topic remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to gain insight into the experiences of fathers whose partners suffer from perinatal depression in the Asian milieu.

A descriptive qualitative study design was adopted. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to recruit participants. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted individually with participants to collect data, which were analysed using thematic analysis.

Twelve fathers were recruited for the study. Eleven were from a perinatal mental health service in a tertiary hospital in Singapore, while 1 father was recruited via snowball sampling.

Five themes describing the fathers' journey through their partners' perinatal depression emerged from the analysis. The themes are: (1) feeling their world collapse; (2) struggling with the depression; (3) enduring the emotional toll; (4) coping with the situation; and (5) emerging from the other side.

The findings of this study highlighted the struggles, coping methods, and support needs of fathers whose partners suffer from perinatal depression. Fathers were often unable to identify perinatal depression in their partners. Notably, they testified to the need to tolerate verbal and sometimes violent outbursts from their partners, and requested for more available information, resources, and peer support groups.

The findings underscore a need for pre-emptive education on maternal perinatal depression and more accessible resources. Healthcare professionals should assess fathers' emotional responses to parenthood and their partners' depression.