Dads' risk for depression and stress disorders rises by over 30% late in first year

A JAMA Network Open study of more than 1 million fathers in Sweden found diagnoses of depression and stress-related disorders fell during pregnancy and the early postpartum months but increased by over 30% toward the end of the child's first year.

A large study published in JAMA Network Open reports a delayed rise in diagnosed depression and stress-related disorders among fathers. The researchers examined health records for fathers whose children were born in Sweden between 2003 and 2021. They found diagnoses decreased during pregnancy and the first months after birth, then rose later in the child's first year. Authors described the timing of the increase as unexpected. Key findings: - The study tracked over 1 million fathers in Sweden for births from 2003 to 2021. - Diagnoses of depression and stress-related disorders decreased during pregnancy and the early postpartum months, then increased by more than 30% toward the end of the child's first year. - Study authors and clinicians noted fathers receive less routine mental-health screening and social attention than mothers, which may relate to the observed pattern. Summary: The research highlights a delayed increase in diagnosed depression and stress-related disorders among fathers late in the first year after childbirth. Authors called the timing unexpected and drew attention to lower screening and social engagement for fathers. Undetermined at this time.