Postpartum Depression and Help-Seeking Behavior in Fathers

Abstract

Postpartum depression is an important problem for fathers as well as mothers. Postpartum depression in fathers can have negative repercussions on the well-being of both fathers and their spouses and children. Therefore, it is important for fathers with postpartum depression to access mental health services. However, fathers do not seek help due to factors such as masculinity norms, perception and recognition of depressive symptoms, knowledge and beliefs about postpartum depression, stigma concerns, screening for postpartum depression, perinatal health services and working life. In this context, it is necessary to raise awareness about postpartum depression among fathers and to create mechanisms to facilitate access to services for fathers with postpartum depression.

Keywords

• Fathers
• Postpartum Depression
• Help-Seeking Behavior
• Barriers to Help-Seeking

BABALARDA POSTPARTUM DEPRESYONU VE YARDIM ARAMA DAVRANIŞI

Abstract

Postpartum depresyonu anneler kadar babalar için de önemli bir sorundur. Babalarda görülen postpartum depresyonunun hem babaların hem de eş ve çocuklarının iyilik hali üzerinde olumsuz yansımaları olabilmektedir. Bu nedenle postpartum depresyonu olan babaların ruh sağlığı hizmetlerine erişimleri önemlidir. Ancak babalar erkeklik normları, depresif belirtilerin algılanması ve tanınması, postpartum depresyonuyla ilgili bilgi ve inançlar, damgalanma endişeleri, postpartum depresyonuna yönelik taramalar, perinatal sağlık hizmetleri ve çalışma yaşamı gibi faktörler sebebiyle yardım arama davranışında bulun(a)mamaktadır. Bu kapsamda babalarda postpartum depresyonu ile ilgili farkındalık oluşturulması ve postpartum depresyonu olan babaların hizmetlere erişimlerini kolaylaştıracak mekanizmaların oluşturulması gerekmektedir.

Keywords

• Babalar
• Postpartum Depresyonu
• Yardım Arama Davranışı
• Yardım Aramanın Önündeki Engeller

References

1. Addis, M. E., & Mahalik, J. R. (2003). “Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking”, American Psychologist, 58(1), 5–14.
2. Anderson, A. M. (1996). “The father-infant relationship: becoming connected”, Journal of the Society of Pediatric Nurses, 1(2), 83–92.
3. Ansari, N. S., Shah, J., Dennis, C. L., & Shah, P. S. (2021). Risk factors for postpartum depressive symptoms among fathers: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 100(7), 1186-1199.
4. Areias, M. E. G., Kumar, R., Barros, H., & Figueiredo, E. (1996). “Correlates of postnatal depression in mothers and fathers”, British Journal of Psychiatry, 169(1).
5. Baldy, C., Piffault, E., Chopin, M. C., & Wendland, J. (2023). Postpartum blues in fathers: prevalence, associated factors, and impact on father-to-infant bond. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(10), 5899.
6. Barclay, L., & Lupton, D. (1999). “The experiences of new fatherhood: a socio-cultural analysis”, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 29(4), 1013–1020.
7. Bielawska-Batorowicz, E., & Kossakowska-Petrycka, K. (2006). “Depressive mood in men after the birth of their off spring in relation to a partner’s depression, social support, fathers’ personality and prenatal expectations”, Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 24(1).
8. Bogren-Jungmarker, E., Lindgren, H., & Hildingsson, I. (2010). “Playing second fiddle is Okay-Swedish fathers’ experiences of prenatal care”, Journal of Midwifery and Women’s Health, 55(5), 421-429.

9. Bozok, M. (2018). Ebeveynlik, erkeklik ve çalışma hayatı arasında Türkiye’de babalık. İstanbul, Anne Çocuk Eğitim Vakfı.
10. Carlson, J., Kendall, A., & Edleson, J. L. (2015). “Becoming a goodfather: the developmental engine of first-time fatherhood”, Fathering, 13(3), 182–202.
11. Carro, M. G., Grant, K. E., Compas, B. E., & Gotlib, I. H. (1993). “Postpartum depression and child development: an investigation of mothers and fathers as sources of risk and resilience”, Development and Psychopathology, 5(4), 567–579.
12. Curtis, J. A., Blume, L. B., & Blume, T. W. (1997). “Becoming a father: marital perceptions and behaviors of fathers during pregnancy”, Michigan Family Review, 3(1), 31.
13. Dabala, O., Abdulahi, M., & Worku, B. T. (2024). Paternal Postpartum Depression and Associated Factors Among Partners of Women Who Gave Birth in Seka Town, Southwest Ethiopia. American Journal of Men's Health, 18(5), 15579883241277100.
14. Daniels, E., Arden-Close, E., & Mayers, A. (2020). “Be quiet and manup: a qualitative question naire study into fathers who witnessed their partner’s birth trauma”, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 20(1).
15. Darwin, Z., Galdas, P., Hinchliff, S., Littlewood, E., McMillan, D., McGowan, L., & Gilbody, S. (2017). “Fathers’ views and experiences of their own mental health during pregnancy and the first postnatal year: a qualitative interview study of men participating in the UK Bornand Bred in Yorkshire (BaBY) cohort”, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 17(1), 45.
16. Davey, S. J., Dziurawiec, S., & O’Brien-Malone, A. (2006). “Men’s voices: postnatal depression from the perspective of male partners”, Qualitative Health Research, 16(2), 206–220.
17. Davis, R. N., Davis, M. M., Freed, G. L., & Clark, S. J. (2011). “Fathers’ depression related to positive and negative parenting behaviors with 1-year-old children”, Pediatrics, 127(4), 612–618.
18. Deater-Deckard, K., Pickering, K., Dunn, J. F., & Golding, J. (1998). “Family structure and depressive symptoms in men preceding and following the birth of a child. The avonlongitudinal study of pregnancy and childhood study team”, The American Journal of Psychiatry, 155(6), 818–823.
19. Devlet Memurları Kanunu. (1965). Erişim tarihi 02 Şubat 2025. Erişim adresi, https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=657&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5
20. Eddy, B., Poll, V., Whiting, J., & Clevesy, M. (2019). “Forgotten fathers: postpartum depression in men”, Jaurnal of Family Issues, 40(8), 1001–1017.
21. Edhborg, M., Carlberg, M., Simon, F., & Lindberg, L. (2016). ““Waiting for beter times”: experiences in the first postpartum year by Swedish fathers with depressive symptoms”, American Journal of Men’s Health, 10(5), 428–439.
22. Edhborg, M., Matthiesen, A. S., Lundh, W., & Widström, A. M. (2005). “Some early indicators for depressive symptoms and bonding 2 months postpartum-a study of new mothers and fathers”, Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 8(4), 221–231.
23. Eren, Y. E., & Şavran, T. G. (2024). Baba Olmanın Yeni Biçimleri: Korunan ve Dönüşen Yönler Üzerine Nitel Bir İnceleme. Sosyal Bilimler ve Sağlık Bülteni, (10), 14-29.
24. Erol, A., Canbeldek, M., & Işıkoğlu, N. (2023). Babaların çocuklarına yönelik algısı: İlk babalık deneyimleri. Sosyal Politika Çalışmaları Dergisi, 23(59), 357-387.
25. Fletcher, R. J., Feeman, E., Garfield, C., & Vimpani, G. (2011). “The effects of early paternal depression on children’s development”, The Medical Journal of Australia, 195(11–12), 685–689.
26. Giallo, R., D’Esposito, F., Cooklin, A., Mensah, F., Lucas, N., Wade, C., & Nicholson, J. M. (2013). Psychosocial risk factors associated with fathers’ mental health in the postnatal period: results from a population-based study. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Eepidemiology, 48, 563-573.
27. Glasser, S., & Lerner-Geva, L. (2019). “Focus on fathers: paternal depression in the perinatal period”, Perspectives in Public Health, 139(4), 195-198.
28. Goodman, J. H. (2004). “Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and implications for family health”, .Journal of Advanced Nursing, 45(1), 26-35.
29. Hall, W. A. (1994). “New fatherhood: myths and realities”, Public Health Nursing, 11(4), 219-228.
30. Hambidge, S., Cowell, A., Arden-Close, E., & Mayers, A. (2021). ““What kind of mangets depressed after having a baby?” Fathers’ experiences of mental health during the perinatal period”, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 21(1), 463.
31. Hamilton, A., & De Jonge, D. (2010). The impact of becoming a father on other roles: An ethnographic study. Journal of Occupational Science, 17(1), 40-46.
32. Hammarlund, K., Andersson, E., Tenenbaum, H., & Sundler, A. J. (2015). ““Weare also interested in how fathers feel: a qualitative exploration of child health centernurses’ recognition of postnatal depression in father”, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 15(1), 290.
33. Heifner, C. (2009). “The male experience of depression”, Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 33(2), 10-18. Hodgson, S., Painter, J., Kilby, L., & Hirst, J. (2023, May). ““Crying on the bus”: First time fathers’ experiences of distress on their return to work”, Healthcare, 11(9), 1352). MDPI.
34. House, J., Marasli, P., Lister, M., & Brown, J. S. (2018). Male views on help‐seeking for depression: AQ methodology study. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 91(1), 117-140.
35. Howarth, A. M., & Swain, N. R. (2020). “Predictors of postpartum depression in first-time fathers”, Australas Psychiatry, 28(5), 552–554.
36. Isacco, A., Hofscher, R., & Molloy, S. (2016). “An examination of fathers’ mental health helpseeking: a brief report”, American Journal of Men’s Health, 10(6), N33–N38.
37. İş Kanunu. (2003). Erişim tarihi 02 Şubat 2025. Erişim adresi, https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr/mevzuat?MevzuatNo=4857&MevzuatTur=1&MevzuatTertip=5
38. Johnson, J. L., Oliffe, J. L., Kelly, M. T., Galdas, P., & Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2012). “Men’s discourses of help-seeking in the context of depression”, Sociology of Health & Illness, 34(3), 345–361.
39. Kim, P., & Swain, J. E. (2007). “Sad dads: paternal postpartum depression”, Psychiatry, 4(2), 35-47.
40. Krumm, S., Checchia, C., Koesters, M., Kilian, R., & Becker, T. (2017). Men's views on depression: A systematic review and metasynthesis of qualitative research. Psychopathology, 50(2), 107-124.
41. Kumar, S. V., Oliffe, J. L., & Kelly, M. T. (2018). “Promoting postpartum mental health in fathers: recommendations for nurse practitioners”, American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(2), 221-228.
42. Melrose, S. (2010). “Paternal postpartum depression: how can nurses begin to help?”, Contemporary Nurse, 34(2), 199–210.
43. Mezulis, A. H., Hyde, J. S., & Clark, R. (2004). “Fatherin volve ment moderates the effect of maternal depression during a child’s in fancy on child behavior problems in kindergarten”, Journal of Family Psychology, 18(4), 575–588.
44. Milgrom, J., & McClaud, P. (1996). “Parenting stres and postnatal depression”, Stress Medicine, 12(3), 177-186. Nazareth, I. (2011). “Should men be screened and treated for postnatal depression?”, Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 11(1), 1–3.
45. Nieh, H. P., Chang, C. J., & Chou, L. T. (2022). Differential trajectories of fathers’ postpartum depressed mood: a latent class growth analysis approach. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(3), 1891.
46. Nyström, K., & Öhrling, K. (2004). “Parenthood experiences during the child’s first year: literature review”, Journal of Advanced Nursing, 46(3), 319–330.
47. O’Brien, R., Hunt, K., & Hart, G. (2005). ““It’s cave man stuff, but that is to a certain extent how guys stil operate”: men’s accounts of masculinity and help seeking”, Social Science and Medicine, 61(3), 503–516.
48. O’Leary, J., & Thorwick, C. (2006). “Fathers’ perspectives during pregnancy, postperinatal loss, Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 35(1), 78–86.
49. Parfitt, Y., Pike, A., & Ayers, S. (2013). “The impact of parents’ mental health on parent-baby interaction: a prospective study”, Infant Behavior and Development, 36(4), 599–608.
50. Paulson, J. F., & Bazemore, S. D. (2010). “Prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers and its association with maternal depression: a meta-analysis”, Journal of the American Medical Association, 303(19), 1961-1969.
51. Paulson, J. F., Keefe, H. A., & Leiferman, J. A. (2009). “Early parental depression and child language development”, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 50(3), 254–262.
52. Pedersen, S. C., Maindal, H. T., & Ryom, K. (2021). ““I wanted to be there as a father, but I couldn’t”: a qualitative study of fathers’ experiences of postpartum depression and their help-seeking behavior”, American Journal of Men’s Health, 15(3).
53. Peker, G. C., Okutucu, A. C., Tekiner, A. S., & Dağlı, Z. (2016). Babalarda doğum sonu depresyonu ve etkili olan faktörlerin değerlendirilmesi. Konuralp Tıp Dergisi, 8(2), 141-146.
54. Philpott, L. F., Leahy-Warren, P., FitzGerald, S., & Savage, E. (2017). “Stress in fathers in the perinatal period: a systematic review”, Midwifery, 55, 113-127.
55. Ramchandani, P. G., O’Connor, T. G., Evans, J., Heron, J., Murray, L., & Stein, A. (2008). “The effects of pre- and postnatal depression in fathers: a natural experiment comparing the effects of exposure to depression on off spring, Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 49(10), 1069-1078.
56. Ramchandani, P., Stein, A., Evans, J., & O’Connor, T. G. (2005). “Paternal depression in the postnatal period and child development: a prospective population study”, Lancet, 365(9478), 2201-2205.
57. Rao, W. W., Zhu, X. M., Zong, Q. Q., Zhang, Q., Hall, B. J., Ungvari, G. S., & Xiang, Y. T. (2020). Prevalence of prenatal and postpartum depression in fathers: a comprehensive meta-analysis of observational surveys. Journal of affective disorders, 263, 491-499.
58. Reay, M., Mayers, A., Knowles-Bevis, R., & Knight, M. T. (2023). Understanding the barriers fathers face to seeking help for paternal perinatal depression: comparing fathers to men outside the perinatal period. International journal of environmental research and public health, 21(1), 16.
59. Rominov, H., Giallo, R., Pilkington, P. D., & Whelan, T. A. (2018). ““Getting help for yourself is a way of helping your baby:” Fathers’ experiences of support for mental health and parenting in the perinatal period”, Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 19(3).
60. Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network. (2012). Management of perinatal moodd is orders: a national clinical guideline, Management of perinatal mooddisorders: a nationalclinicalguideline -DigitalCollections -National Library of Medicine (nih.gov). (Erişim Tarihi: 17 Aralık 2023).
61. Seo, H. G., & Kim, S. S. (2023). Experiences of Postpartum Depression in Men: A Qualitative Meta-synthesis. Journal of Korean Academy of psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, 32(3), 233-244.
62. Serhan, N. (2010). Anne ve babalarda postpartum depresyon sıklığı ve ilişkili faktörlerin belirlenmesi (Yüksek Lisans Tezi). Selçuk Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Enstitüsü Hemşirelik Anabilim Dalı, Konya.
63. Sethna, V., Murray, L., Netsi, E., Psychogiou, L., & Ramchandani, P. G. (2015). “Paternal depression in the postnatal period and early father-infant interactions”, Parenting, Science and Practice, 15(1), 1–8.
64. Sierra-Hernandez, C. A., Han, C., Oliffe, J. L., & Ogrodniczuk, J. S. (2014). “Understanding help-seeking among depressed men”, Psychology of Men and Masculinity, 15(3), 346–354.
65. St. John, W., Cameron, C., & McVeigh, C. (2005). “Meeting the challenge of new fatherhood during the earlyweeks”, Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic, and Neonatal Nursing, 34(2), 180–189.
66. Staiger, T., Stiawa, M., Mueller-Stierlin, A. S., Kilian, R., Beschoner, P., Gündel, H., ... & Krumm, S. (2020). Masculinity and help-seeking among men with depression: A qualitative study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 11, 599039.
67. Swami, V., Barron, D., Smith, L., & Furnham, A. (2020). “Mental health literacy of maternal and paternal postnatal (postpartum) depression in British adults”, Journal of Mental Health, 29(2), 217–224.
68. Thomas, J. E., Bonér, A. K., & Hildingsson, I. (2011). “Fathering in the first few months”, Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 25(3), 499–509.
69. Tiedje, L. B., & Darling-Fisher, C. (2003). “Promoting father-friendly healthcare”, The American Journal of Maternal Child Nursing, 28(6), 350–359.
70. Tin, N., & Alptekin, D. (2022). Tarihsel Süreçte Babalık Deneyimlerinin Toplumsal Cinsiyet Analizi. Sosyoloji Dergisi, (43), 155-191.
71. Tone-Ahlborg, R. M., & Strandmark, M. (2001). “The baby was the focus of attention-first-time parents’ experiences of their intimate relationship”, Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences, 15(4), 318–325.
72. Xiao, G., Wang, H., Hu, J., Zhao, Z., Li, Q., & Qin, C. (2024). Prevalence of antenatal depression and postpartum depression among Chinese fathers: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Heliyon, 10(15).
73. World Health Organization [WHO]. (2023). Gender and health, https://www.who.int/health-topics/gender#tab=tab_1. (Erişim Tarihi: 14 Aralık 2023).
74. World Health Organization [WHO]. (1998). Potpartum care of the mother and newborn: a practical guide, https://asksource.info/resources/postpartum-care-mother-and-newborn-a-practical-guide (Erişim Tarihi: 16 Aralık 2023).
75. Zheng, J., Sun, K., Aili, S., Yang, X., & Gao, L. (2022). Predictors of postpartum depression among Chinese mothers and fathers in the early postnatal period: A cross-sectional study. Midwifery, 105, 103233.