Father Child Connection

Can a father’s mental health affect his unborn child? New research published in the journal, Pediatrics, found a small, yet consistent link between the fathers mental health during the second trimester and their children’s well-being at age 3. Kids whose dads had high levels of distress had higher levels of emotional, social and behavioral problems.

Looking at data from more than 31-thousand pregnancies, researchers collected information about the fathers mental health during the second trimester, the mothers pre and post-natal mental health, and their child’s development at 36 months of age.

At week 17 or 18 of gestation, 3-percent of the fathers had high levels of psychological distress. Using a special model to analyze all of the data, the team found a small, yet consistent link between the fathers mental health and their children’s well-being at age 3. Kids whose dads had high levels of distress had higher levels of emotional, social and behavioral problems.

Researchers would like to see more study done on an expectant father’s psychological health…and what can be done to help lessen the stress…to help all generations down the road.