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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
‘About DAD’: Paternal mental health and characteristics in relation to father-infant bonding in the first year postpartum
1
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Research Centre Innovations in Care- Research group Midwifery and Childbirth, Rotterdam, Netherlands
2
Rotterdam University of Applied Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Eur J Midwifery 2026;10(Supplement 1):A460
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are crucial for healthy development. While maternal well-being has been widely studied, recent international and Dutch initiatives highlight the need to better understand the impact of paternal depression, anxiety, and paternal characteristics on bonding. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing more inclusive and preventive postpartum care that supports the entire family.
OBJECTIVES:
First, to examine associations between paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms and father-infant bonding. Second, to examine how paternal characteristics (education, number of children, age) relate to mental health outcomes and father-infant bonding.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 198 Dutch fathers within 12 months postpartum. Standardised self-report instruments were used, including the Paternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (PPAS), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6). Statistical analyses included Spearman’s rank correlations and ANOVA.
RESULTS:
Higher depressive (ρ = –0.32) and anxiety symptoms (ρ = –0.25) were significantly associated with lower father-infant bonding (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was also found between anxiety and depressive symptoms (ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001). Lower education was significantly associated with higher anxiety symptoms (ρ = –0.17, p = 0.016), although effect sizes were small. ANOVA revealed a small but significant difference in depressive symptoms across educational groups (p = 0.036). A higher number of children was associated with lower levels of father-infant bonding (ρ = –0.25, p < 0.001), while no significant associations were found for paternal age.
CONCLUSIONS:
Paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with reduced father-infant bonding. Although paternal characteristics showed limited associations, lower education emerged as a potential risk factor.
KEY MESSAGE:
These findings highlight the need for attention to paternal mental health in postpartum care. This aligns with ICM’s mission to promote midwifery care that supports the health and well-being of women and their families. Poster session 1 (Group A)
The first 1,000 days of a child’s life are crucial for healthy development. While maternal well-being has been widely studied, recent international and Dutch initiatives highlight the need to better understand the impact of paternal depression, anxiety, and paternal characteristics on bonding. Addressing these gaps is essential for developing more inclusive and preventive postpartum care that supports the entire family.
OBJECTIVES:
First, to examine associations between paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms and father-infant bonding. Second, to examine how paternal characteristics (education, number of children, age) relate to mental health outcomes and father-infant bonding.
METHODS:
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 198 Dutch fathers within 12 months postpartum. Standardised self-report instruments were used, including the Paternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (PPAS), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-6). Statistical analyses included Spearman’s rank correlations and ANOVA.
RESULTS:
Higher depressive (ρ = –0.32) and anxiety symptoms (ρ = –0.25) were significantly associated with lower father-infant bonding (p < 0.001). A strong positive correlation was also found between anxiety and depressive symptoms (ρ = 0.62, p < 0.001). Lower education was significantly associated with higher anxiety symptoms (ρ = –0.17, p = 0.016), although effect sizes were small. ANOVA revealed a small but significant difference in depressive symptoms across educational groups (p = 0.036). A higher number of children was associated with lower levels of father-infant bonding (ρ = –0.25, p < 0.001), while no significant associations were found for paternal age.
CONCLUSIONS:
Paternal depressive and anxiety symptoms are associated with reduced father-infant bonding. Although paternal characteristics showed limited associations, lower education emerged as a potential risk factor.
KEY MESSAGE:
These findings highlight the need for attention to paternal mental health in postpartum care. This aligns with ICM’s mission to promote midwifery care that supports the health and well-being of women and their families. Poster session 1 (Group A)
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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