title: Paternal depression: an examination of its links with father, child and family functioning in the postnatal period.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Maternal depression is common and is known to affect both maternal and child health. One of the mechanisms by which maternal depression exerts its effects on child health is through an increased rate of parental disharmony. Fathers also experience depression, but the impact of this on family functioning has been less studied. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between paternal depressive disorder and family and child functioning, in the first 3 months of a child's life.
  
  
  METHODS
  A controlled study comparing individual and familial outcomes in fathers with (n = 54) and without diagnosed depressive disorder (n = 99). Parental couple functioning and child temperament were assessed by both paternal and maternal report.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Depression in fathers is associated with an increased risk of disharmony in partner relationships, reported by both fathers and their partners, controlling for maternal depression. Few differences in infant's reported temperament were found in the early postnatal period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings emphasize the importance of considering the potential for men, as well as women, to experience depression in the postnatal period. Paternal symptoms hold the potential to impact upon fathers, their partners, and their children.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom. paul.ramchandani@psych.ox.ac.uk
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Ramchandani
authors.forename: Lamprini
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Psychogiou
authors.forename: Haido
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Vlachos
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Iles
authors.forename: Vaheshta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sethna
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Netsi
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lodder
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D000987:Antisocial Personality Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005219:Father-Child Relations; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013694:Temperament; D006113:United Kingdom