Determinants of Postpartum Paternal Depression

Authors : Ayşe Nur Balcı Yapalak, Cihan Eren Akagündüz, Dilara Alp, İrem Sıla Kavak, Mesut Suleyman, Umut Toprak Altan, Osman Hayran

Pages : 532-539

Doi:10.20515/otd.1629373

View : 55 | Download : 18

Publication Date : 2025-06-18

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence of postpartum depression in fathers and its relationship with sociodemographic characteristics and received social support. The study population of this cross-sectional study are fathers (n=283) of infants aged 0-12 months who attended x University Hospital pediatric outpatient clinics during December 2023. Fathers\\\' sociodemographic information, depression and social support status were questioned in the survey. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess depression, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support was used to evaluate perceived social support. The prevalence of postpartum depression risk in fathers was 25.1%. The frequency of postpartum depression risk is higher in fathers who have their first child than the fathers who have a second child. Fathers of infants aged 3-5 months old have higher rates of postpartum depression risk than the fathers with infants under 3 months old (p=0.007). The risk of postpartum depression was higher in the participants who had less social support scores of the study group (p<0.001). Our study findings indicate that one in four fathers of 0-12 months old infants has high risk of postpartum depression. Postpartum depression of the fathers should be considered during the provision of routine health care services and supported socially.
Keywords : Babalık, doğum sonrası depresyon, sosyal destek, ebeveyn davranışı, risk faktörleri

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