12% of Irish dads develop postnatal depression

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12% of Irish dads develop postnatal depression

As many as one in nine Irish fathers suffer with paternal postnatal depression, the results of a new study suggest.

Postnatal depression, which is generally associated with women, can have symptoms that include low moods, feelings of loneliness, sadness, anxiety, lacking energy and feeling unable to cope.

The new study, which was carried out by researchers at University College Cork, found that 12% of Irish men show symptoms of paternal postnatal depression. The study involved 100 fathers, all with a child who was less than 12 months old.

It found that factors which increased the risk of postnatal depression among fathers included a history of depression, having a baby with sleep problems, a lack of support from their partner, a lower level of education and having a premature or overdue baby.

Living in rented accommodation, being unmarried and having poor finances also increased the risk, as did not having any paternity leave.

maternity & infant

Originally posted 2015-02-19 14:52:31.