What about dad? Psychosocial and mental health issues for new fathers.
BACKGROUND
Although motherhood and the mother-infant bond have been extensively researched, the same is not true for fatherhood and the father-infant bond.


OBJECTIVE
This article discusses the psychological tasks of the expectant father, the adjustment issues for men during their partners pregnancy and the postnatal period, and the development of the father-infant bond.


CONCLUSIONS
The 9 months of pregnancy are conceptualised as a time of psychological preparation for the first time expectant father. Four psychological tasks of this period are described with guidelines regarding how a health professional might assess and foster progress. In the postnatal period, 10% of new fathers will have a partner suffering from postnatal depression and the male response to this can positively or negatively influence recovery. This article concludes that the father-infant relationship is influenced by the partner relationship as well as the fathers psychological wellbeing.
Condon
John
J
Department of Psychiatry, Repatriation Hospital, Daw Park, South Australia. john.condon@rgh.sa.gov.au
D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007224:Infant Care / Q000523:psychology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D008603:Mental Health; D011247:Pregnancy; D012649:Self Concept; D012725:Sexual Behavior / Q000523:psychology