Effects Of Postpartum Depression In Both Mothers And Fathers
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Approximately 14 percent of mothers and 10 percent of fathers suffer from moderate or severe postpartum depression resulting in undesirable parenting practices and limited parent-infant interaction.
In the study, "Individual and
Combined Effects of Postpartum Depression in Mothers and
Fathers on Parenting Behavior," researchers reviewed data from
the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study on more than 5,000
two-parent families with children age 9 months.
The study found that depressed mothers were less likely to engage in preventive health behaviors, such as breastfeeding and placing a child on his or her back to sleep, and/or play or interact with their child. Depressed fathers also engaged in less positive interactions with their infant.
The study recommended that pediatricians make a greater effort to screen both parents for postpartum depression to help ensure successful adherence to parenting and child preventative health guidelines.
About this information: This information provided by the AAP. AAP Parent Page offers practical tips for parents to help keep their child safe while shopping and/or using a shopping cart at pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/118/2/e545.
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