Lea en español In Hollywood, the image of the overwhelmed dad is played for laughs, with consequences rarely more serious than an awkward diaper change or a frustrated cry of, "D'oh!" But in real life, experts say the stresses of parenthood can pose challenges to the mental health of fathers, with implications not only for their physical health but for their children's well-being, too. The exact challenges would be unique to each father, said Dr. Kate Gawlik, a nurse practitioner and an associate clinical professor at the Ohio State College of Nursing in Columbus.
But overall, "the mental health and behaviors of the child are very intertwined with those of the parent," said Gawlik, who also is co-director of her school's undergraduate program in health and wellness. The importance of a father's mental health hasn't always been emphasized by researchers or society in general, said Dr. Sheehan Fisher, an associate professor in psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
"Historically, we viewed it that as long as the mom is well, that's what impacts the kid. But we know that the father has a direct impact on the child's mental health, medical and developmental outcomes." Challenges can begin as soon as fatherhood does.
"It's well-established that fathers are at an increased risk for depression and anxiety symptoms during the perinatal period," just before and just after a child is born, Fisher said. About 10% of ne.
