Mental distress in dads linked to poor outcomes for children

The mental health of dads has been linked to poor developmental outcomes in children, prompting experts to call for greater paternal support.

New study reveals how a father’s mental health can impact a child’s development. Picture: Mark Wilson

When Tim Kuiper became a father for the first time he felt unprepared and unsure how to support his wife and new baby.

The Belmont man, now a father of two, also found there were limited support services for dads that he could to turn.

“There’s a lot of resources out there for mums when their child is first born, but you really have to search it out for dads,” he said.

A new global Deakin University study examining paternal mental health, has found poor paternal mental health can seriously impact a child’s development.

It found mental distress in fathers, both during pregnancy and after birth, was associated with poorer outcomes in a child’s social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development.

Belmont dad Tim Kuiper with sons Forest, 4, and River, 1. Picture: Mark Wilson

Clinical psychologist and research lead Dr Genevieve Le Bas said the findings underscored the importance of providing greater support for the mental health and wellbeing of fathers.

“We know that new dads, like mums, are at risk of increased psychological distress before and after birth,” Dr Le Bas, from Deakin’s SEED Centre for Lifespan Research, said.

“But, until now, research has largely focused on maternal mental health and child development, with less attention given to how a father’s mental state impacts developmental outcomes.”

She said fathers with poorer mental health often reported feeling frustrated, impatient or critical when parenting young children.

“They also tend to report less involvement in activities that help to shape a positive bond with their children, such as playing or reading together,” Dr Le Bas said.

Belmont father Tim Kuiper said he hopes the research prompts greater investment into supports available for fathers. Picture: Mark Wilson

The analysis, which looked at 80 studies conducted by Deakin University’s School of Psychology, found a father’s mental health could also impact their children’s physical health outcomes, such as body weight, sleep and eating patterns.

Mr Kuiper said that although he was mentally well when he welcomed his sons – Forest, 4, and River, 1 – into the world, he sometimes felt unprepared to help his wife, Jaki.

“My wife held a lot of the mental load in the first early stages – breast feeding and sustaining life,” he said.

New study reveals how a father’s mental health can impact a child’s development. Picture: Mark Wilson

“As a dad, you just want to be there to support them and know what are the most useful and practical things you can do to be supportive.

“The reality is, I just want to be the best dad I can be.”

The research found group programs improved outcomes in dads by normalising the fatherhood experience and creating a sense of community, which was supported by Mr Kuiper who connected with peers while taking part in research into fatherhood.

“It was really, really supportive having a dads group to be part of,” he said.

Originally published as Mental distress in dads linked to poor outcomes for children