For a couple of years, we have known that it is possible that fathers also suffer from depression after the birth of their children, and that the percentage of fathers who suffer from postpartum depression is almost the same as the number of mothers who suffer from it.
But a new study has positive news, finding that those parents who are fully involved in raising their children are less likely to suffer from depression .
Published in the journal Frontiers in Psychiatry , the study conducted in the United States followed parents and children during the first 12 months of the baby’s life , examining three parenting indicators: the father’s time spent with the baby, the parents’ self-efficacy and material support for the baby.
In addition to these three indicators, the researchers also conducted evaluations and examinations for depressive symptoms in parents during their children’s first, sixth, and twelfth months of life. According to the results obtained, the father’s participation in raising the baby is associated with a lower risk of experiencing depressive symptoms during the first year of his child’s life.
The authors found that all three indicators (increased time parents spent with their newborn, parental self-efficacy, and the ability to provide material support) predicted lower rates of depressive symptoms in parents over the following year .
According to the information from the study, it is thought that the reason why parents are less likely to suffer from depression is that by being more involved in raising their children they can feel more competent as parents and be more satisfied with their role of parents over time.
The authors of this research comment that this is the first study to examine the relationship between the father’s role in the baby’s life and the possible depressive symptoms that may appear during the first year after delivery.
Let us remember that in addition to being a great way to establish and strengthen the bond with their children, having a parent actively participate in parenting also has benefits for the baby , as it has been found to promote cognitive development and emotional intelligence.
Photo | iStock
Via | Today
In Babies and more | Babies of parents who are involved in parenting learn faster, says a study, Pediatricians recommend that dads spend time with their children because their way of treating them is different from that of moms
