Paternal Depression and Anxiety During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the lives of families worldwide. Findings suggest a substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health. Yet, much less is known about the impact of COVID-19 on paternal mental health. This study describes depression and anxiety and risk and protective factors among fathers of young children largely residing in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fathers (N = 70) of children 0 to 8 years old self-reported depression (EPDS, CESD, CESD-R) and anxiety (PASS, GAD-7) symptoms, while mothers (N = 236) provided reports of paternal depressive symptoms using the EPDS-P. Fathers evidenced clinically significant depression (37.1%) and anxiety (22.9%). Linear regression models with significant bivariate correlates indicated that depressive symptoms were associated with a mental health history and experiencing recent stressful events in the past month, while anxiety symptoms were related to mental health history over and above other correlates. Mother-reported paternal depression was prevalent (61.9%) and associated with lower mother-reported marital quality and higher maternal depressive symptoms. Of the fathers reporting clinically significant mental health concerns, less than one-third reported accessing mental health services. Paternal depression and anxiety symptoms were elevated during the pandemic, when compared to pre-pandemic comparisons. The risk and protective factors for paternal depression and anxiety included mental health history, recent stressful events, maternal marital quality, and maternal depressive symptoms. Longitudinal studies evaluating the persistent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on paternal mental health are needed to inform continued efforts to repair the pandemic's impact on family wellbeing.