Beyond Maternal Health: Examining the Effect of Birth Complications on Unmarried Fathers' Postpartum Well-Being [ID 2683609]

INTRODUCTION: Birth complications (BCs) are known risk factors for maternal postpartum depression, but their effect on paternal postpartum depression (PPD), especially among unmarried fathers, remains understudied. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from The Future of Families and Child Wellbeing longitudinal birth cohort, focusing on unmarried fathers who were present at their child’s birth (n=1,484). Paternal PPD was assessed using a 12-item CES-D scale, dichotomized into depression present versus absent. Maternal medical records identified seven conditions constituting BC, including excessive bleeding, placental abruption, placenta previa, emergency c-section, seizure during delivery, cord prolapse, or fetal distress. Logistic regression models were estimated, adjusting for parents' demographics, self-reported health status, cohabitation, poverty, substance use, relationship quality, and prior fatherhood experience. RESULTS: Postpartum depression affected 132 fathers (9%), while BC occurred in 602 mothers (41%). In the unadjusted model, BC was associated with 42% increased odds of paternal PPD compared to uncomplicated births (95% CI, 1.00–2.04). In multivariable analysis, BC was significantly linked to paternal PPD (aOR 1.46; 95% CI, 1.00–2.12). Fathers in great/very good health had 37% lower paternal PPD odds than those in good/fair/poor health (95% CI, 0.43–0.96), while interparental conflict was linked to higher paternal PPD odds (aOR 2.38; 95% CI, 1.61–3.52). CONCLUSION: Our study found birth complications to be associated with increased odds of paternal postpartum depression. Further research is needed to explore how maternal birth experiences affect paternal well-being, particularly among unmarried fathers, and identify novel ways to incorporate fathers into perinatal support systems and interventions.