Study reveals poor co-parenting association with depression in fathers | News

Fathers are more likely to feel depressed when their children are toddlers if their co-parenting relationships are poor in the months following birth, according to a new study from Karolinska Institutet in Sweden. The findings have been published in the Journal of Affective Disorders. About 9-10 percent of fathers experience postpartum depression, which is high compared to the general population. Children who grow up with depressed fathers are also at greater risk for mental, emotional and behavioral problems in childhood, according to previous research. By identifying modifiable factors that reduce the risk of depression in fathers, researchers hope to develop interventions that can prevent mental illness in both parents and children.