Dad’s depression has bothered the child for many years

Children with depression when their fathers enter kindergarten are more likely to develop behavioral problems and social skills at age 9, according to Rutgers Health’s pioneering study. These findings highlight the lasting impact of fathers’ mental health on children’s growth, even in years after first exposure.

The study, published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, is the first population-based study in the United States that prospectively examines the link between father’s depression and children’s behavior in school settings. The researchers found that the scores for depressed fathers were 25-37% higher in antithesis, ADHD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) behavior, which their 9-year-old teacher reported.

“We need to consider parents’ depression, not just mothers,” said Kristine Schmitz, assistant professor of pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine (RWJMS). “Depression is treatable and to support the entire family, pediatricians must start talking about it with dads and develop interventions for fathers who meet their needs.”

In the early years of a child, between 8% and 13% of fathers in the United States experienced some form of depression, which rose to 50% when the mother also suffered postpartum depression. Despite these relevant statistics, most studies and interventions have historically focused on maternal depression.

The researchers analyzed data on the Future of Family and Child Health Research (FFCWS), a national birth cohort that tracked families in 20 major U.S. cities. They examined 1,422 father pairs, screened for depression at the age of 5, and conducted a teacher assessment of the child’s behavior at the age of 9.

Children exposed to father’s depression showed significantly different behavior patterns compared to their peers. After controlling for sociodemographic factors, fathers and children’s residences and mothers’ depression, researchers found that fathers’ depression was significantly associated with opposition, ADHD and ADHD behavior. These children also showed lower positive social skills scores and problematic social behavior scores across multiple dimensions.

The timing of this study is particularly important, focusing on two key development periods: Entry of Ekding Galton and the secondary semester. Kindergarten represents a major shift in children’s lives, and behaviors under the age of 9 can often predict academic and social outcomes through adolescence through adulthood.

“Kindergarten entry is an important developmental milestone, and adversity faced at that time may lead to poor engagement and behavior in primary schools, which may persist or amplify through middle and high schools,” the researchers wrote in their study.

Several mechanisms may explain these findings. Depression can impair the quality of parenting, while depressed fathers show “less positive and more negative parenting behaviors”, including harsh discipline. Depression may also increase parental conflict and reduce fathers’ presence at home, thus bringing environmental stress to children.

The results highlight the need to expand screening for depression among fathers outside of the perinatal period currently recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatricians who regularly engage with family through recommended preventive visits have a full attitude towards the identity of a father at risk and connect it with appropriate support services.

“As parents, we can model as we struggle, we reach out and get help,” Schmitz said. “This is a lesson that kids will carry throughout their lives.”

The findings also suggest that school-based interventions may be beneficial for children exposed to father’s depression and may mitigate the long-term impact on educational achievement, mental health and future employment prospects.

This study is based on existing evidence that children’s exposure to parental depression can seriously affect their socio-emotional development. Previous research linked maternal depression with externalized and internalized behavior, poor social skills, and poor academic performance in young children. Children with opposing behaviors, ADHD symptoms, and poor social skills often experience poor academic outcomes, poor peer relationships, and are more likely to engage in risky behaviors during adolescence.

The study’s approach offers a variety of advantages, including its population-based sample, a prospective design that links paternal depression to subsequent childhood outcomes, a rich control variable, and the use of teacher-reported results. Teachers provide professional and independent perspectives on behavior outside the family, observing them relative to peers and social interactions.

While the study shows a clear link between father depression and later behavioral problems in children, it also provides hope. Early identification and intervention can improve father and child outcomes, thus breaking potential cycles of mental health and behavioral challenges for generations.