CONCLUSION
Paternal postpartum depression is a very real and
very serious problem for many new fathers and their
families. Men whose partners are depressed are at
greater risk and the disorder may be present in as
many as 25% of the population. Tools such as the
Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the
Gotland Male Depression Scale have been used
by researchers from different countries to measure
paternal postpartum depression. Nurses can also
use these tools efficiently in a variety of different
practice settings as screening instruments.
Although the disorder is only now beginning to
be defined and measured, sufficient evidence exists
to warrant nurses’ attention and concern. Paternal
postpartum depression may be reflected in behaviors such as withdrawing, expressing irritation,
cynicism, drinking, using drugs, fighting, partner
violence and extra-marital affairs. New fathers
who are depressed may present with symptoms of
depression during their partner’s pregnancy and
throughout the first year postpartum. The presentation can be expected to be more insidious than
the sudden onset usually seen in maternal postpartum depression. An affect of anxiety or anger may
be more predominant than sadness.
Paternal postpartum depression: How can nurses begin to help?
The burden of these symptoms leaves new
fathers with limited ability to offer emotional
support to their partners and children. In turn,
behavioral and emotional problems, even psychiatric disorders such as oppositional-defiant
and conduct disorders, have been found to occur
significantly more often among children whose
fathers were depressed postpartum (Ramchandani
et al., 2008).
Nurses can begin to help by implementing
everyday strategies to increase public awareness of the disorder. Including information
about paternal postpartum depression in existing programs geared to pre-natal and postpartum families is an important foundational step.
Creative strategies to build on this foundation
include summarizing professional literature and
making tools such as the Edinburgh Postnatal
Depression Scale and the Gotland Male
Depression Scale available as program handouts
or posters and pamphlets in wait areas. Other
strategies include constructing visual aids from
online resources for postpartum men’s health
and posting them on bulletin boards. Similarly,
using print resources from local mental health
agencies will offer valuable direction for initiating support and counseling services. Following
up with new fathers or their family members
about where to go for help with overcoming
depression is critical. As nurses continue to
learn about paternal postpartum depression and
seek out ways to become involved in screening
and treatment initiatives, more opportunities to
reach out and help will emerge.