The social predictors of paternal antenatal mental health and their associations with maternal mental health in the Queensland Family Cohort prospective study

Antenatal depression (AND) affects 1 in 10 fathers, potentially negatively impacting maternal mental health and well-being during and after the transition to parenthood. However, few studies have assessed the social predictors of paternal AND or their possible associations with maternal mental health. We analysed data from 180 couples participating in the Queensland Family Cohort longitudinal study. Both parents completed surveys measuring mental health, relationship quality, social support, and sleep quality at 24 weeks of pregnancy. Mothers also completed the same surveys 6 weeks' postpartum. Antenatal depression, stress, and anxiety were highest among fathers reporting lower social support and higher sleep impairment. Maternal AND, stress, and anxiety were higher among mothers reporting higher physical pain and poor sleep quality. Postnatally, mothers reporting lower social support also reported higher depression, anxiety, stress, and psycho-social well-being. While there were no significant associations between AND among fathers and maternal antenatal or postnatal depression, an exploratory analysis revealed that mothers whose partners reported lower antenatal social support also reported lower postnatal social support and higher postnatal depression. Our findings highlight the importance of including data among fathers to achieve a whole family approach to well-being during the transition to parenthood.

Automated summary

Antenatal depression affects fathers and can have negative impacts on maternal mental health and well-being. The study found that lower social support and higher sleep impairment were associated with higher levels of antenatal depression for fathers. Mothers who reported higher physical pain and poor sleep quality had higher levels of antenatal depression, stress, and anxiety. Postnatally, lower social support was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety, stress, and psycho-social well-being for mothers. While there were no significant associations between paternal antenatal depression and maternal antenatal or postnatal depression, exploratory analysis revealed that mothers whose partners reported lower antenatal social support also reported lower postnatal social support and higher postnatal depression.