title: Post partum depression and the psychosocial predictors in first-time fathers from northwestern China.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  there is growing evidence that fathers also experience post partum depression (PPD). However, paternal PPD has been less studied than maternal PPD. Very few studies have investigated PPD in first-time fathers from northwestern China.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  the purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence and predictors of depressive symptoms in first-time fathers from northwestern China.
  
  
  METHODS
  a longitudinal study was conducted involving 180 couples who were assessed at three time periods: 3 days, 2 weeks and 6 weeks after childbirth. Self-reported questionnaires including Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), Parenting Sense of Competence Scale (PSOC), and Kansas Marital Satisfaction Scale (KMSS) were administered to all participants during each time period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  after childbirth 35 (21.1%) of the fathers at 3 days, 32 (20.4%) at 2 weeks and 20 (13.6%) at 6 weeks, indicated that they suffered from PPD. Paternal parental sense of competence, paternal marital satisfaction, and maternal depressive symptoms were among the main predictors for paternal PPD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  the study results suggest that paternal PPD is a significant public health concern. Health professionals should focus attention on the psychological health among new fathers during the postpartum period; and, the psychosocial predictors should be considered and incorporated into clinical assessment and intervention of paternal PPD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Xi׳an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, West Yanta Road, Xi׳an 710061, PR China. Electronic address: cathyzh@mail.xjtu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yin-Ping
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Xi׳an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, West Yanta Road, Xi׳an 710061, PR China.
authors.forename: Lu-Lu
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Xi׳an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, West Yanta Road, Xi׳an 710061, PR China.
authors.forename: Huan-Huan
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Xi׳an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, No.76, West Yanta Road, Xi׳an 710061, PR China.
authors.forename: Yao
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Xi׳an Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Shaanxi Province, Xi׳an 710003, PR China.
authors.forename: Chun-Li
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, Memorial University, Newfoundland & Labrador, Canada.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Porr
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008393:Marriage / Q000523:psychology; D016487:Parenting / Q000523:psychology*; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: First-time father; Paternal post partum depression; Psychosocial predictors