Maternal postpartum depression: A phenomenological exploration of the experience of fathers.

摘要

Postpartum depression (PPD) has been identified as a mental health condition that impacts women, men, and families. It has been associated with marital conflict, insecure attachment, and poor infant-child outcome. Despite these risks, PPD often goes undetected and untreated. Preliminary research suggests a correlation between maternal and paternal PPD and a cumulative risk for children with two depressed parents. However, to date, the impact of maternal PPD on paternal distress and coping, role and identity formation, and infant-father attachment has been little explored. The purpose of this research is to gain a deeper understanding of the experience of fathers whose partners experienced PPD in an effort to inform father-inclusive prevention and intervention practices. To this end, six first-time fathers (age 40-49) were asked to complete a background questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and participate in a face-to-face, semi-structured interview. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was utilized to explore the participant's experience and extract themes relevant to the topic in question. Six broad themes were identified: 1) Lack of Preparedness and Clarity, 2) Psychological Distress, 3) Coping, 4) Impact on the Family System, 5) Father Identity Formation, and 6) Support. Findings corroborate a previously identified need for father-sensitive and inclusive perinatal care, and contribute to a growing literature interested in developing a new standard of perinatal care that reflects evolving demographics and the needs of the family system at large.