Australian scientists from Deakin University examined the link between the unplanned birth of children and fathers’ mental health. They found that an unplanned addition to the family could harm men’s mental state. Article published In the scientific journal Journal of Affective Disorders (JAD).
Previous research has focused on the link between maternal mental health and unintended pregnancy, but its impact on fathers has remained relatively unexplored. The authors of the new study wanted to find out how the unplanned birth of a child affects men’s psyche during the critical early years of parenthood.
Scientists analyzed 23 studies involving more than 8 thousand fathers in total. They found that men who became fathers due to an unplanned pregnancy were twice as likely to experience mental health problems such as depression, stress, and even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those who planned to have their child.
Depression has become the most common type of mental health disorder, according to psychologists. Among young fathers, the condition was even more common than postpartum depression among mothers.
Researchers also found that the negative effects of unplanned childbearing in men persisted regardless of whether it was their first child or not.
“In our daily lives, it can be helpful to remember that not everyone wants children. And we can’t assume everyone will be excited about pregnancy. The lead author of the study, Dr. “If you know new dads, check in with them to see if they’re having any problems,” Imogen Smith said.
Previous scientists I learnedThat the effect of phthalates on the body of a pregnant woman affects the intelligence of the unborn child.
Source: Gazeta
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