Looking after your mental health as a first-time dad: understanding the risk factors

Becoming a parent is a massive change in someone’s life. Most of the time, the focus tends to be on the new mother, and this is normal since it is the mother who experiences the most significant physical and mental changes. Men’s mental health and wellbeing during this transition period to fatherhood is a significant public health issue. However, this topic has been commonly overlooked by literature and mental health practitioners. In this post, we will examine some of the risk factors that a recent study conducted by Sharing Baldwin and Debra Bick found on the topic which are relevant when we think about the mental health of first-time dads:

Unsupportive relation followed by poor relationship satisfaction

The harmony between a couple that recently had a child is essential for both partners not to find themselves emotionally unavailable for each other at some stage after experiencing the shared responsibilities that come with parenting. The absence of a supportive relationship is likely to cause stress and feelings of abandonment to the one executing most of the parenting tasks, and it could be that most of the time, it’s only about a lack of proper communication between the mother and the father in relation to what each expects the other to be doing. It is also essential that both do not forget that romance can and should coexist in the new family scenario and that it is crucial that both parts put effort into making time for this aspect of their lives. Having these considerations in mind will not only help keep the relationship healthy but also avoid stressful misunderstandings, should one of the parts chooses to silence their frustrations and become evasive.

Paternal unemployment
              

Paternal unemployment is a high stress and anxiety factor, mainly because sometimes lengthy maternity leave is usually given to mums, and the combination of these phenomena can have an impact on the family’s budget. When a new father finds himself in this position, it is common to observe feelings of helplessness and invalidity that may cause the person to be distant and to show symptoms of depression-related behaviours.

Immaturity, young parental age and higher social deprivation

The romantic idealisation involved in the planning of a first-born child is very different from the reality that the new parents will experience. The emotional responsibility when becoming a parent will be proportional to the emotional maturity of those involved. This usually reflects the new parent’s own experiences as a child and their relationships with their parents. However, when the new dad is in his teenage years or his first young adult life years, the probability of him feeling emotionally unbalanced can be higher than if he had become a father years later. It is more common to have a more active social life when we are young; therefore, a sudden change of habits and the ultimate experience of isolation are factors that can lead to stress.

Unplanned pregnancy

While a planned pregnancy isn’t exempt from stressful factors, the arrival of a new member of the family that is unplanned has a higher chance of being perceived with reluctance and even anguish. To the new dad, there is an emphasis on the social expectation of providing, as well as an emotional expectation of caring. These aspects tend to reflect on poor mental health when one does not feel ready to face the rapid social changes and has a hard time to deal with the stress that comes with it.

Family history of depression

Parents with a family history of depression should educate themselves about the symptoms regarded to it and look for help even when there is no clear sign of it. The earlier, the better. Looking for appropriated psychological support will avoid the development of anxiety levels and make them less frequents and consistent.

Poor social and emotional support

Mothers are often seen as the primary focus involving the first-born arrival. However, it can not be forgotten how equally important fathers are in this context and how relevant it is that the new mum and the new dad do not forget that a healthy parenting experience is based on mutual respect when sharing the responsibilities of this moment of their lives.