What is paternal perinatal mental health? Is it common for fathers to experience psychological distress in the perinatal period? Do fathers have access to support for perinatal mental health?
Many reading this blog will be aware that pregnancy and birth can lead to mental health conditions for mums but are you aware that dads can also be affected? Paternal perinatal mental health refers to the occurrence of mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety, as a consequence of experiences during pregnancy and birth. Lack of information and support, stigma, exclusion, difficulties in diagnosis, and a lack of focus on relational and emotional change, can all lead to less awareness of the mental health struggles that men can face during this time. On International Men’s Day, we wanted to draw attention to men’s mental health within the perinatal period and how the transition to fatherhood can impact on mental health and wellbeing for some.
The arrival of a new baby brings excitement and joy, but also apprehension, fear, and high expectations of oneself. Existing research suggests that there is a gap between fathers’ expectations of how they believe they should be responding in fatherhood and the reality of how they do respond. When these role expectations have not been met, fathers can be very critical of themselves. This can lead to frustration, anxiety and psychological distress at a time which should be enjoyable and exciting.
Existing studies involving talking to fathers about their experiences within the perinatal period have helped to understand the emotions and distress fathers can encounter. Fathers can feel underprepared, sad or depressed, and isolated from maternity services and decision making. They may experience sleep disturbances and increased alcohol intake, and some experience thoughts of self-harm. Some fathers also find it culturally and socially unacceptable to speak about their difficulties due to not wanting to be seen as weak or vulnerable. Masculine ideals, stigma and inequality within the first stages of parenthood have prevented fathers from reaching out for support. The needs of men are often overlooked as most support for new parents, such as childrens centres and baby groups, focusses on women.
Fathers have reported negative experiences when it comes to accessing current support, if indeed there is any support to access. Their overall wellbeing is not taken into account during this time and they are often directed to seek support from organisations outside of healthcare. This highlights the urgent requirement for paternal perinatal mental health support tailored to father’s needs
It is vitally important that we increase awareness from friends, family and health professionals of father’s mental health in the perinatal period. We need to understand what the barriers and facilitators are to seeking support, and what that support should look like. Research that will be undertaken as part of a PhD, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration (ARC) North East and North Cumbria (NENC), will work with dads of different ages, backgrounds, cultures and family arrangements to reflect the diversity in parenting experience, to gain their insights. It will also work with professionals.
By undertaking this research, we hope to empower fathers to seek support and to co-design support that is tailored to their needs. We are just starting this journey but do get in contact if you would like to know about our plans or to participate in the research.
It is important that we shine a light on this every day but especially on International Men’s Day. We want to make a positive difference to the wellbeing and lives of fathers. By raising awareness of paternal perinatal mental health, we can promote a positive conversation about men and mental health. We want to drive action so that pregnancy and birth is a positive experience for all.
The research team:
Ashleigh Watkins, NIHR ARC NENC PhD student (Supporting Children and Families) (a.watkins3@newcastle.ac.uk)
Judith Rankin, Prof of Maternal and Child Health (judith.rankin@newcastle.ac.uk)
Ruth McGovern, Lecturer in Public Health Research
Catherine El Zerbi, NIHR ARC NENC Fellow (Supporting Children and Families)