Factors Related to Depression Among Expectant Fathers
Keywords:
Depression, Expectant father, FactorsAbstract
The transition to fatherhood may lead to emotional changes, physical signs and symptoms, and develop into depression. This descriptive correlational research aimed to study depression and factors related to depression among expectant fathers. The participants were 115 expectant fathers whose partners were between 28-36 weeks of gestation in antenatal care at Mae Suai Hospital, Chiang Rai province and Mae Ai Hospital, Chiang Mai province. The research instruments were the 9Q Depression Screening Tool, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and the Social Support Questionnaire of expectant fathers. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and Spearman rank correlation coefficient.
The results revealed that:
1. Participants accounting for 8.70% were found to have depression, with a mean score of 8.60 (SD = 2.07), indicating mild symptoms of depression.
2. Factors related to depression among expectant fathers included anxiety, which had a positive correlation with depression (r = .714, p < .001) and social support which had a negative correlation with depression (r = -.276, p < .01). However, age, occupation, number of times becoming a father, history of mental illness, and pregnancy complications were not significantly correlated with depression among participants.
These findings can be used as baseline data for screening depression in expectant fathers who accompany their partners for antenatal visits between 28-36 weeks of gestation.
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