The latest study reveals that the silent struggle many new dads face with anxiety or depression can have both immediate and long-term effects on their children.
We all know that maternal mental health, both before and after birth, has effects on the development of a child. Now, a new meta-analysis of more than 80 other studies shows strong evidence that a father’s mental health has effects on development, too.
It turns out that for dads, taking care of mental health isn’t just self-care, but a choice that can positively impact their whole family.
Men’s Mental Health Struggles Can Often Be Invisible
There are a lot of reasons that men’s mental health struggles are often overlooked, including a heavy social stigma on how men share their feelings.
Regardless of the reasons, though, men’s mental health is often neglected, suppressed, and hidden. A Priory survey found that about 1 in 5 men has been diagnosed at some point with a mental health condition, and close to twice that many believe that they have had a diagnosable mental health condition.
The numbers go on — 40% say they’ve never discussed their mental health with anyone; 29% say they would be embarrassed to do so; and 77% describe themselves as suffering symptoms associated with mental health conditions.
Further, while mental health struggles can result in many of the same symptoms (persistent sadness, distance from loved ones, difficulty concentrating) in both men and women, some expressions of that distress (like anger and irritability, substance abuse, and reckless behavior) are more common in men — and these have a clear effect on children.
In short, some dads may believe that ignoring their mental health is an act of self-sacrifice and strength, but research shows that prioritizing mental health is one of the greatest ways a dad can care for his family.
What Does The New Study Show, Exactly?
We focus heavily on the mental health of new moms, and there are good reasons for that, especially since the mom is the one who is going through hormonal changes related to birth, and is statistically likely to be the primary caregiver (especially in the first months and especially if she’s breastfeeding).
However, as important as moms’ mental health is, overlooking the well-being of dads is a mistake, too. The new meta-analysis published in JAMA this month found a “robust” association between the mental health of a father and mental health outcomes for his kids.
There were clear links between paternal mental illness (including stress, anxiety, and depression), and poorer child development in areas including language, cognitive skills, and socioemotional maturity.
Also, while moms are a bit more likely to have depression and anxiety in the perinatal (shortly before and after giving birth) period, around one in ten new dads also suffer the symptoms. Many of them may keep quiet about it, because when their partner is recovering both physically and emotionally, it can feel like the wrong time to speak up.
Support For Dads Is Support For Families
We now know that dads’ mental health affects their children, but we also must recognize that good mental health is something dads deserve for themselves.
Getting there shouldn’t mean more pressure on a new dad or handing the responsibility for his mental health to a postpartum mom, though. Instead, a broader understanding and more widespread community support could be the path.
Measures like paternity leave can help give dads some space to adjust. Too many moms have no choice but to return to work before their bodies have even healed from giving birth; meanwhile, some dads won’t even have time off work for the birth of a child. Even though dads may not need time for physical recovery, they also require adjustment and bonding time.
We can also foster a societal understanding that needing support isn’t a sign of weakness. Reaching out for help when it’s needed is a strength. (Hopefully we’re already teaching our sons this!) Encouraging men to feel safe opening up to a professional, a trusted friend, or a family member is a significant step.
For new dads, the necessary move is recognizing the need and taking the steps to meet it. It can be hard, but remember, supporting your own mental health isn’t just a way of caring for yourself; it’s a way of taking care of your family.