Paternal postpartum depression and associated factors during COVID-19 pandemic: an online cross-sectional study
Current Psychology, cilt.45, sa.13, 2026 (SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 45 Sayı: 13
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1007/s12144-026-09707-0
- Dergi Adı: Current Psychology
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, IBZ Online, BIOSIS, Psycinfo, Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Business Source Ultimate (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Sociology Source Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Paternal, Depression, Postpartum, COVID-19, Prevalence, Associated factors
- Kırklareli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Despite the potential impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on paternal mental health, research on paternal postpartum depression (PPD) during this period remains scarce and limited to high-income countries. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of PPD and examine its associated factors in a middle-income country. A sample of 775 fathers with at least one child aged 3–12 months-old were recruited online between June-December 2021. Participants were asked to fill out the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), COVID-19-related Psychological Distress Scale (CORPD), Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Oslo Social Support Scale (OSSS-3), Sleep Quality Scale (SQS) and a questionnaire about their socio-demographic, obstetric, health-related and psychosocial characteristics. The prevalence of possible PPD (EPDS ≥ 10) was 35.6%, while this decreased to 23.7% for probable PPD (EPDS ≥ 12). Fathers who suffered from COVID-19-related distress (p <.001), had prior psychopathology (p <.05) and reported feelings of inadequacy in caregiving roles (p <.01) had an increased risk of possible and probable PPD, whereas those with greater relationship satisfaction, social support and sleep quality were less likely to develop possible and probable PPD (p <.001). Prior trauma (p <.01) and absence of paternal leave (p <.05) were also related to possible PPD but not probable PPD, while COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalization had no association with either. The findings provide an insight into the potentially high prevalence of PPD and its underlying factors during COVID-19, underlining the need to recognize and address paternal mental health challenges, particularly during societal crises such as pandemics.