Determinants of Postpartum Paternal Depression

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

doi:10.20515/otd.1629373

Research Article

Doğum Sonrası Baba Depresyonunun Belirleyicileri

Year 2025, Volume: 47 Issue: 4, 532 - 539, 18.06.2025

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

Abstract

Bu çalışmanın amacı babalarda doğum sonrası depresyonun yaygınlığını ve bunun sosyodemografik özellikler ve alınan sosyal destek ile ilişkisini incelemektir. Kesitsel tipte olan bu çalışmanın evrenini, 2023 Aralık ayında x Üniversite Hastanesi çocuk polikliniğine başvuran 0-12 ay arası bebeklerin babaları (n=283) oluşturmuştur. Araştırmada babaların sosyodemografik bilgileri, depresyon ve sosyal destek durumları sorgulanmıştır. Depersyonun değerlendirilmesinde the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, sosyal desteğin değerlendirilmesinde the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support ölçekleri kullanılmıştır. Babalarda doğum sonrası depresyon görülme sıklığı %25,1 bulunmuştur. İlk kez çocuk sahibi olan babalarda, ikinci kez çocuğu olan babalara göre doğum sonrası depresyon görülme sıklığı daha yüksektir. 3-5 ay arası bebek sahibi olan babaların doğum sonrası depresyon riski, 3 aydan küçük bebeği olan babalara göre daha yüksektir. Çalışma grubunun doğum sonrası depresyon puanları ile sosyal destek puanları arasında negatif ve anlamlı bir ilişki vardır. Çalışma bulgularımız 0-12 aylık bebek sahibi dört babadan birinde doğum sonrası depresyon riskinin yüksek olduğunu göstermektedir. Rutin birinci basamak sağlık hizmetlerinin sunumu sırasında babaların doğum sonrası depresyonu gözönünde bulundurulmalı ve sosyal olarak desteklenmelidir.

Keywords

Babalık, doğum sonrası depresyon, sosyal destek, ebeveyn davranışı, risk faktörleri

References

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
2. Stewart DE, Vigod S. Postpartum Depression. Solomon CG, editor. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;375(22):2177–86.
3. Essadek A, Marie A, Rioux MA, Corruble E, Gressier F. Perception of Paternal Postpartum Depression Among Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare. 2023;12(1):68.
4. Wang D, Li YL, Qiu D, Xiao SY. Factors Influencing Paternal Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Affect Disord. 2021;293:51–63.
5. Eddy B, Poll V, Whiting J, Clevesy M. Forgotten Fathers: Postpartum Depression in Men. J Fam Issues. 2019;40(8):1001–17.
6. Tarsuslu B, Durat G, Altınkaynak S. Postpartum Depression in Fathers and Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry. 2020;31(4)280-289
7. Gray PB, Reece JA, Coore-Desai C, Dinnall-Johnson T, Pellington S, Bateman A, et al. Patterns and Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Jamaican Fathers of Newborns. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2018;53(10):1063–70.
8. Dayan J, Andro G, Dugnat M. Psychopathology of Perinatal and Parenthood. 2nd ed. Elsevier Masson; 2014.
9. Wilson S, Durbin CE. Effects of Paternal Depression on Fathers’ Parenting Behaviors: A Meta-analytic Review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30(2):167–80.
10. Demirci Ö, Inan E. Postpartum Paternal Depression: Its Impact on Family and Child Development. Psikiyatride GüncelYaklaşımlar. 2023;15(3):498–507.
11. Zimet GD, Dahlem NW, Zimet SG, Farley GK. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. J Pers Assess. 1988;52(1):30–41.
12. Eker D, Arkar H, Yaldız H. Çok Boyutlu Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği’nin Gözden Geçirilmiş Formunun Faktör Yapısı, Geçerlik ve Güvenirliği. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi. 2001;12(1).
13. Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of Postnatal Depression. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1987;150(6):782–6.
14. Alkan Ç. Validity and Relability of Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale for Turkish Men. Dokuz Eylül University; 2017.
15. Ceyhun Peker G. Babalarda Doğum Sonu Depresyonu ve Etkili Olan Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2016;8(2).
16. Keser Özcan N, Boyacıoğlu NE, Dinç H. Postpartum Depression Prevalence and Risk Factors in Turkey: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Arch PsychiatrNurs. 2017;31(4):420–8.
17. İpar N, Alper EN, Aydın NE, Aktaş Ö, Muzoğlu Kurt Ö, Baygül A. From attachment to well-being: An examination of father-infant attachment, parental mental health, and relationship satisfaction. Gulhane Med J. 2025;epub
18. Duan Z, Wang Y, Jiang P, Wilson A, Guo Y, Lv Y, et al. Postpartum Depression in Mothers and Fathers: A Structural Equation Model. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):537.
19. Nath S, Psychogiou L, Kuyken W, Ford T, Ryan E, Russell G. The Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms Among Fathers and Associated Risk Factors During the First Seven Years of Their Child’s Life: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):509.
20. Field T. Paternal Prenatal, Perinatal and Postpartum Depression: A narrative Review. Journal of Anxiety & Depression. 2018;1(1).
21. Da Costa D, Danieli C, Abrahamowicz M, Dasgupta K, Sewitch M, Lowensteyn I, et al. A Prospective Study of Postnatal Depressive Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors in First-Time Fathers. J Affect Disord. 2019;249:371–7.
22. Nurumal MS, Abdul Nasir AL, Sumaiyah Jamaludin TS, Shorey S, Sutrisno RY. A Study on First Time Fathers After the Birth of Their Child: Paternal Involvement. International Journal of Care Scholars. 2025;8(1):5-16.
23. Kamalifard M, Hasanpoor S, Babapour Kheiroddin J, Panahi S, Bayati Payan S. Relationship Between Fathers’ Depression and Perceived Social Support and Stress in Postpartum Period. J Caring Sci. 2014;3(1):57–66.
24. Ünver H, Uçar T. İlk Kez Baba Olanlarda Doğum Sonu Depresyon ve Psikososyal Belirleyicileri. Cukurova Medical Journal. 2021;46(2):452–9.
25. Escriba-Aguir V, Artazcoz L. Gender Differences in Postpartum Depression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. J Epidemiol Community Health (1978). 2011;65(4):320–6.
26. Gao L, Chan SW, Mao Q. Depression, Perceived Stress, and Social Support Among First‐Time Chinese Mothers and Fathers in the Postpartum Period. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(1):50–8.
27. Arslantaş H, Ergin F, AkdolunBalkaya N. Postpartum Depression Prevalence and Related Risk Factors in Aydin Province. ADÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2009;10(3):13–22.
28. Serhan N, Ege E, Ayrancı U, Kosgeroglu N. Prevalence of Postpartum Depression in Mothers and Fathers and Its Correlates. J Clin Nurs. 2013 Jan 10;22(1–2):279–84.
29. Vogel DL, Zhao N, Vidales CA, Al-darmaki FR, Baptista MN, Brenner RE, et.al. Interdependent Stigma of Seeking Mental Health Services: Examining a New Scale Across Eight Countries/Regions. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 2024;71(5): 356–368.
30. Darwin Z, Galdas P, Hinchliff S, Littlewood E, McMillan D, McGowan L, et al. Fathers’ Views and Experiences of Their Own Mental Health During Pregnancy and the First Postnatal Year: A Qualitative Interview Study of Men Participating in The UK Born and Bred in Yorkshire (Baby) Cohort. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17(1):45.
31. Nishimura A, Fujita Y, Katsuta M, Ishihara A, Ohashi K. Paternal Postnatal Depression in Japan: An Investigation of Correlated Factors Including Relationship with a Partner. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015;15(1):128.
32. Şayık D, Arı S, Kaya Y, Kaya Usta E. Gebe Eğitiminin Anne ve Babanın Anksiyete, Depresyon Düzeylerine Etkisi. Osmangazi Journal of Medicine. 2019;41(1):23–30.
33. Abbasi NH, Bilal A, Muhammad K, Riaz S, Altaf S. Relationship Between Personality Traits and Postpartum Depression in Pakistani Fathers. PLoS ONE. 2024; 15(5):e0303474.
34. Kido K, Mitani A, Uemura Y. Changes in Paternal Perinatal Depression and Its Predictors from Third Trimester of Pregnancy to One-Year Post-Partum: A Longitudinal Study. Jurnal Ners. 2024;19(3):346-355.
35. Wang D, Li YL, Qui D, Xiao SY. Factors Influencing Paternal Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021;293:51-63

Determinants of Postpartum Paternal Depression

Year 2025, Volume: 47 Issue: 4, 532 - 539, 18.06.2025

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

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

Paternity, postpartum depression, social support, paternal behavior, risk factors

Ethical Statement

The study proposal was approved (Decision No: 938) by the İstanbul Medipol University Faculty of Medicine Non-Interventional Studies Ethics Committee in 13.11.2023.

Supporting Institution

The authors declared that this study received no financial support.

Thanks

We would like to thank Prof. Dr. Önder Yavaşcan, Head of the Department of Pediatrics at Istanbul Medipol University, for helping us access the participants

References

1. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition: DSM-5. 5th ed. American Psychiatric Association; 2013.
2. Stewart DE, Vigod S. Postpartum Depression. Solomon CG, editor. New England Journal of Medicine. 2016;375(22):2177–86.
3. Essadek A, Marie A, Rioux MA, Corruble E, Gressier F. Perception of Paternal Postpartum Depression Among Healthcare Professionals: A Qualitative Study. Healthcare. 2023;12(1):68.
4. Wang D, Li YL, Qiu D, Xiao SY. Factors Influencing Paternal Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Affect Disord. 2021;293:51–63.
5. Eddy B, Poll V, Whiting J, Clevesy M. Forgotten Fathers: Postpartum Depression in Men. J Fam Issues. 2019;40(8):1001–17.
6. Tarsuslu B, Durat G, Altınkaynak S. Postpartum Depression in Fathers and Associated Risk Factors: A Systematic Review. Turkish Journal of Psychiatry. 2020;31(4)280-289
7. Gray PB, Reece JA, Coore-Desai C, Dinnall-Johnson T, Pellington S, Bateman A, et al. Patterns and Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Jamaican Fathers of Newborns. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2018;53(10):1063–70.
8. Dayan J, Andro G, Dugnat M. Psychopathology of Perinatal and Parenthood. 2nd ed. Elsevier Masson; 2014.
9. Wilson S, Durbin CE. Effects of Paternal Depression on Fathers’ Parenting Behaviors: A Meta-analytic Review. Clin Psychol Rev. 2010;30(2):167–80.
10. Demirci Ö, Inan E. Postpartum Paternal Depression: Its Impact on Family and Child Development. Psikiyatride GüncelYaklaşımlar. 2023;15(3):498–507.
11. Zimet GD, Dahlem NW, Zimet SG, Farley GK. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. J Pers Assess. 1988;52(1):30–41.
12. Eker D, Arkar H, Yaldız H. Çok Boyutlu Algılanan Sosyal Destek Ölçeği’nin Gözden Geçirilmiş Formunun Faktör Yapısı, Geçerlik ve Güvenirliği. Türk Psikiyatri Dergisi. 2001;12(1).
13. Cox JL, Holden JM, Sagovsky R. Detection of Postnatal Depression. British Journal of Psychiatry. 1987;150(6):782–6.
14. Alkan Ç. Validity and Relability of Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale for Turkish Men. Dokuz Eylül University; 2017.
15. Ceyhun Peker G. Babalarda Doğum Sonu Depresyonu ve Etkili Olan Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi. Konuralp Medical Journal. 2016;8(2).
16. Keser Özcan N, Boyacıoğlu NE, Dinç H. Postpartum Depression Prevalence and Risk Factors in Turkey: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Arch PsychiatrNurs. 2017;31(4):420–8.
17. İpar N, Alper EN, Aydın NE, Aktaş Ö, Muzoğlu Kurt Ö, Baygül A. From attachment to well-being: An examination of father-infant attachment, parental mental health, and relationship satisfaction. Gulhane Med J. 2025;epub
18. Duan Z, Wang Y, Jiang P, Wilson A, Guo Y, Lv Y, et al. Postpartum Depression in Mothers and Fathers: A Structural Equation Model. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2020;20(1):537.
19. Nath S, Psychogiou L, Kuyken W, Ford T, Ryan E, Russell G. The Prevalence of Depressive Symptoms Among Fathers and Associated Risk Factors During the First Seven Years of Their Child’s Life: Findings from the Millennium Cohort Study. BMC Public Health. 2016;16(1):509.
20. Field T. Paternal Prenatal, Perinatal and Postpartum Depression: A narrative Review. Journal of Anxiety & Depression. 2018;1(1).
21. Da Costa D, Danieli C, Abrahamowicz M, Dasgupta K, Sewitch M, Lowensteyn I, et al. A Prospective Study of Postnatal Depressive Symptoms and Associated Risk Factors in First-Time Fathers. J Affect Disord. 2019;249:371–7.
22. Nurumal MS, Abdul Nasir AL, Sumaiyah Jamaludin TS, Shorey S, Sutrisno RY. A Study on First Time Fathers After the Birth of Their Child: Paternal Involvement. International Journal of Care Scholars. 2025;8(1):5-16.
23. Kamalifard M, Hasanpoor S, Babapour Kheiroddin J, Panahi S, Bayati Payan S. Relationship Between Fathers’ Depression and Perceived Social Support and Stress in Postpartum Period. J Caring Sci. 2014;3(1):57–66.
24. Ünver H, Uçar T. İlk Kez Baba Olanlarda Doğum Sonu Depresyon ve Psikososyal Belirleyicileri. Cukurova Medical Journal. 2021;46(2):452–9.
25. Escriba-Aguir V, Artazcoz L. Gender Differences in Postpartum Depression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study. J Epidemiol Community Health (1978). 2011;65(4):320–6.
26. Gao L, Chan SW, Mao Q. Depression, Perceived Stress, and Social Support Among First‐Time Chinese Mothers and Fathers in the Postpartum Period. Res Nurs Health. 2009;32(1):50–8.
27. Arslantaş H, Ergin F, AkdolunBalkaya N. Postpartum Depression Prevalence and Related Risk Factors in Aydin Province. ADÜ Tıp Fakültesi Dergisi. 2009;10(3):13–22.
28. Serhan N, Ege E, Ayrancı U, Kosgeroglu N. Prevalence of Postpartum Depression in Mothers and Fathers and Its Correlates. J Clin Nurs. 2013 Jan 10;22(1–2):279–84.
29. Vogel DL, Zhao N, Vidales CA, Al-darmaki FR, Baptista MN, Brenner RE, et.al. Interdependent Stigma of Seeking Mental Health Services: Examining a New Scale Across Eight Countries/Regions. Journal of Counseling Psychology. 2024;71(5): 356–368.
30. Darwin Z, Galdas P, Hinchliff S, Littlewood E, McMillan D, McGowan L, et al. Fathers’ Views and Experiences of Their Own Mental Health During Pregnancy and the First Postnatal Year: A Qualitative Interview Study of Men Participating in The UK Born and Bred in Yorkshire (Baby) Cohort. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2017;17(1):45.
31. Nishimura A, Fujita Y, Katsuta M, Ishihara A, Ohashi K. Paternal Postnatal Depression in Japan: An Investigation of Correlated Factors Including Relationship with a Partner. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2015;15(1):128.
32. Şayık D, Arı S, Kaya Y, Kaya Usta E. Gebe Eğitiminin Anne ve Babanın Anksiyete, Depresyon Düzeylerine Etkisi. Osmangazi Journal of Medicine. 2019;41(1):23–30.
33. Abbasi NH, Bilal A, Muhammad K, Riaz S, Altaf S. Relationship Between Personality Traits and Postpartum Depression in Pakistani Fathers. PLoS ONE. 2024; 15(5):e0303474.
34. Kido K, Mitani A, Uemura Y. Changes in Paternal Perinatal Depression and Its Predictors from Third Trimester of Pregnancy to One-Year Post-Partum: A Longitudinal Study. Jurnal Ners. 2024;19(3):346-355.
35. Wang D, Li YL, Qui D, Xiao SY. Factors Influencing Paternal Postpartum Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders. 2021;293:51-63

There are 35 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language	English
Subjects	Mental Health Services
Journal Section	ORİJİNAL MAKALE
Authors	Ayşe Nur Balcı Yapalak 0000-0003-1323-4511 Cihan Eren Akagündüz 0009-0005-6038-2092 Dilara Alp 0009-0006-0913-7064 İrem Sıla Kavak 0009-0001-7081-2536 Mesut Suleyman 0009-0005-8738-467X Umut Toprak Altan 0009-0007-5346-3366 Osman Hayran 0000-0002-9994-5033
Publication Date	June 18, 2025
Submission Date	January 30, 2025
Acceptance Date	April 24, 2025
Published in Issue	Year 2025 Volume: 47 Issue: 4

Cite

Vancouver	Balcı Yapalak AN, Akagündüz CE, Alp D, Kavak İS, Suleyman M, Altan UT, Hayran O. Determinants of Postpartum Paternal Depression. Osmangazi Tıp Dergisi. 2025;47(4):532-9.

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