'My Son Was Only Half of My Worries.' Experiences of Danish Fathers Whose Partners Suffered From Perinatal Depression

Introduction

In Denmark, approximately 10% of new mothers experience perinatal depression (PND). The association between maternal PND and negative child outcomes is established, but the condition also affects fathers negatively, with up to 50% also developing depressive symptoms. Supporting paternal mental health is essential because the involvement of a healthy co-parent can buffer the negative effects of PND on the family. However, maternity services are often not targeting fathers, and less is known about their experiences and how to best support them in this critical situation.

Aim

To investigate the experiences of new fathers whose partners suffer from perinatal depression in the context of the Danish Welfare State. Understanding these experiences is crucial for providing timely and appropriate support to affected families.

Methods

Qualitative semi-structured interviews with 10 Danish fathers whose partners suffered from perinatal depression. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

The analysis identified four themes: (1) 'From sneaking suspicion to action,' explores fathers' challenges in distinguishing normal postpartum responses from depression, along with their role in the diagnostic process, (2) 'What about my job?' illustrates how fathers adjust their expectations while striving for work-life balance, (3) 'Family re-arrangements,' addresses the changes in family dynamics, when fathers take action to support the recovery of their partners, (4) 'Who supports dad?' examines how fathers' mental health is affected by their partner's depression, describing their sources of emotional support.

Conclusions

These fathers demonstrated a strong commitment to their families, but downplayed their own wellbeing, feeling disconnected from maternity services. While fathers are a crucial resource, their ability to support their families entirely was sometimes restricted by a lack of proper support. We highlight how these fathers are both vulnerable and an important resource that we need to support better.