Anxiety among fathers during the prenatal and postpartum period: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this review was to determine the prevalence of anxiety among fathers during the perinatal (pre- and post-natal) period.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted to identify studies published between 1995-2020. One hundred and seventy-two of the records met inclusion criteria and full texts were screened for eligibility. The authors followed PRISMA guidelines to extract the data.

RESULTS

A total of 23 studies, representing 40,124 participants, are included in this meta-analysis. The overall random effects estimate of paternal perinatal anxiety was 10.69% (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.14 - 13.91%). Rates of paternal perinatal anxiety demonstrated significant heterogeneity that was large in magnitude (Q = 304,494, p < .001, I² = 99.93 and τ² = .5381). Study quality rating did not appear to moderate rates of paternal perinatal anxiety (low: 10.74%; 95% CI: 6.56-17.11%; high: 10.65%; 95% CI: 6.02- 18.15%).

DISCUSSION

Paternal perinatal anxiety rates in this meta-analysis are considerably higher than the global WHO regional prevalence rates for anxiety among men suggesting the transition into parenthood may place men at greater risk for anxiety.

Maternal and paternal depression and anxiety: their relationship with mother-infant interactions at 3 months

While there have been studies on the effects of maternal depression and anxiety on mother-infant styles of interaction in infancy, there have been no studies on the effects of paternal depression and anxiety or on the joint effects of maternal and paternal depression and anxiety on mother-infant styles of interaction. The aims of the study were to examine the associations between maternal depression and anxiety and paternal depression and anxiety and to examine the relationship between maternal and paternal depression and anxiety and mother-infant styles of interaction at infant 3 months. Seventy mother and father couples were administered the EPDS for depression and the STAI-Y for anxiety and mother-infant interactions were video-recorded and coded with the CARE-INDEX. Analyses with Pearson correlation indicated an association between maternal depression and paternal anxiety and between maternal anxiety with paternal depression and anxiety. Moreover maternal and paternal depression and anxiety were found to be associated with the quality of maternal style of interaction. Maternal sensitive style was negatively associated with maternal depression and state anxiety. Maternal unresponsive style was positively associated with both paternal depression and state and trait anxiety. Multiple regression analysis has shown that maternal state anxiety was a greater predictor of a lower level of maternal sensitivity than maternal depression.