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Loneliness among fathers of infants: Actual conditions and its relationship with social support

Mayumi Takaku1, Aya Saitoh1

  • 1Graduate School of Health Sciences, Niigata University, 2-746 Asahimachi-dori, Chuo-ku, Niigata 951-8518, Japan.

Midwifery
|April 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Paternal loneliness is linked to father's age, child's age, mental health, and marital quality. Social support from confidants and healthcare professionals can significantly reduce feelings of loneliness in fathers.

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Sociology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Paternal involvement in childcare is rising.
  • Fathers face unique health risks, including loneliness.
  • Understanding factors contributing to paternal loneliness is crucial for developing effective support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify factors associated with loneliness in fathers of infants.
  • To explore the role of social support in mitigating paternal loneliness.
  • To inform the development of targeted support interventions for fathers.

Main Methods:

  • An anonymous web-based survey was administered to 384 fathers of infants.
  • The University of California Los Angeles Loneliness Scale was used as the dependent variable.
  • Logistic regression analysis examined demographic factors, social support, and childcare participation.

Main Results:

  • Nearly half of fathers (44.9%) reported experiencing loneliness.
  • Factors associated with increased loneliness included father's age, child's age, poorer mental health, and lower marital relationship quality.
  • Social support from confidants and healthcare professionals was associated with reduced loneliness.

Conclusions:

  • Paternal loneliness is influenced by a combination of individual, familial, and social factors.
  • Targeted interventions should address father's age, child's developmental stage, mental well-being, and relationship quality.
  • Strengthening social support networks, particularly from confidants and healthcare providers, is vital for supporting fathers' mental health.
Abstract

Keywords:
Child rearingFatherLonelinessMental healthPostpartumSocial support

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