Educating men can cut postnatal depression in women
16 May 2003
Support and education for men during their partner's pregnancy may reduce postnatal depression (PND) in women, new research suggests.
An Australian study of 300 first-time fathers found 18 per cent experienced significant psychological distress when their partners were in the second trimester of pregnancy.
Professor John Condon, professor of psychiatry at Flinders University, said men's reports of marital difficulties predicted their partner's PND.
'The strongest determinant was reports of a lot of conflict in the relationship, on the non-sexual side. Also predictive was a lack of satisfaction in the sexual relationship.'
The study, presented to the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists' 38th congress in Hobart this week, found that infant temperament affected the father's attachment, with men who saw their baby as 'fussy' or 'difficult' having trouble bonding.
Co-researcher Professor Philip Boyce, from the University of Sydney, said distress during the men's transition to fatherhood was associated with an increased risk of their partner having PND.
At 3 months after the birth of the baby, 16 per cent of the women in the study scored above 12 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (a scale used by doctors to assess a person's level of depression).
The main factors contributing to fathers' distress were lack of information, having a neurotic (overly anxious) personality, an excess of life events and negative views about the pregnancy.
'I think it points to the need for a lot more information for men,' Professor Boyce said.
Last Reviewed: 14 May 2003
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 16/5/03
