Abstract
Purpose
The primary objective of this study was to report on the occurrence of mental health difficulties for a large national sample
of Australian fathers of children aged 0–5 years (n = 3,471). Secondary objectives were to compare fathers’ mental health against normative data for the general male adult population,
and to examine the course of mental health problems for fathers across the early childhood period.
of Australian fathers of children aged 0–5 years (n = 3,471). Secondary objectives were to compare fathers’ mental health against normative data for the general male adult population,
and to examine the course of mental health problems for fathers across the early childhood period.
Methods
Secondary analysis of data from the infant cohort of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children at three waves when children
were 0–12 months, 2–3 and 4–5 years. Comparative data on the prevalence of psychological distress in the Australian adult
male population sourced from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
were 0–12 months, 2–3 and 4–5 years. Comparative data on the prevalence of psychological distress in the Australian adult
male population sourced from the National Survey of Mental Health and Wellbeing.
Results
Approximately nine per cent of fathers reported symptomatic or clinical psychological distress at each wave, as measured by
the Kessler-6. Approximately 30 % reporting distress at wave 1 continued to report distress at a similar or worse level across
waves 2 and 3. Fathers not living with their children also had high rates of distress (14 % at wave 1 and 10 % at wave 2).
Finally, fathers in the present study had 1.38 increased odds (95 % CI 1.12–1.69) for psychological distress compared with
the Australian adult male population.
the Kessler-6. Approximately 30 % reporting distress at wave 1 continued to report distress at a similar or worse level across
waves 2 and 3. Fathers not living with their children also had high rates of distress (14 % at wave 1 and 10 % at wave 2).
Finally, fathers in the present study had 1.38 increased odds (95 % CI 1.12–1.69) for psychological distress compared with
the Australian adult male population.
Conclusions
Fathers are at risk of experiencing postnatal mental health difficulties, which may persist across the early childhood period
for some fathers. The results suggest routine assessment of fathers’ wellbeing should be undertaken in the postnatal period
with mental health interventions and support provided across the early childhood period.
for some fathers. The results suggest routine assessment of fathers’ wellbeing should be undertaken in the postnatal period
with mental health interventions and support provided across the early childhood period.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s00127-012-0510-0
- Authors
- Rebecca Giallo, Parenting Research Centre, Level 5, 232 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Fabrizio D’Esposito, Parenting Research Centre, Level 5, 232 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Daniel Christensen, Telethon Institute for Child Health Research, Centre for Child Health Research, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
- Fiona Mensah, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Amanda Cooklin, Parenting Research Centre, Level 5, 232 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Catherine Wade, Parenting Research Centre, Level 5, 232 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Nina Lucas, Parenting Research Centre, Level 5, 232 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Louise Canterford, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Jan M. Nicholson, Parenting Research Centre, Level 5, 232 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3002, Australia
- Journal Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
- Online ISSN 1433-9285
- Print ISSN 0933-7954