Table 2.
Summary of most relevant studies included in the current review.
| Authors and country of study | Sample size | Design | Research type | Identified factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bielawska-Batorowicz and Kossakowska-Petrycka (2006) Poland | 80 fathers. | Measured 3-month postnatally | Cross-sectional study | Mother's depression (r = .76, p < .001). Divergence between prenatal hopes and postnatal daily life experiences (r = −0.68, p < .001) and marital relationship satisfaction (r = −0.65, p < .001). |
| Boyce et al. (2007) Australia | 312 first-time fathers | Assessed 20 weeks after the pregnant and reassessed at 3, 6 and 12 months postnatally | Longitudinal study | Neuroticism (F (2,344) = 60.51, p < 0.000) with (β = 0.45). Poor marital relationship (F (2, 279) = 48.0, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.25). Social support dissatisfaction (F (10,217) = 13.23, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.38). |
| Bronte-Tinkew et al. (2007) USA | 2139 fathers | Measured 12-month postpartum time point. | Cross-sectional study | Race (High prevalence in Hispanic participants 7.7%). Marital status (separated/divorced 6.5% vs. cohabited 0.6%). Employment status (unemployed 14.3% vs employed 8.3%). |
| Buist et al. (2003). Melbourne, Australia | 294 first-time fathers | Assessed at 26 weeks antenatally and at 36 weeks gestation; and 1 and 4 months postpartum. | Longitudinal study | Lower relationship satisfaction (χ2 = 4.0, p < .05). Fathers who scored high on gender role stress, also scored high on EPDS. |
| Dudley et al. (2001) Sydney, Australia | 92 fathers | Postnatal period | Cross-sectional study | Marital status or cohabitation relationship, the views of the mother's personality style, the mother's unresolved issues, mother's perinatal depression and ability of coping, and the mother's perception of the marital relationship. The results reported R2 = .59, p < .001 on the EPDS and R2 = .62, p < .001 on the BDI. Positive correlation between fathers and mothers' postnatal depression was found (r = .34, p < .001 on the revised BDI and r = .23, p < .05 on the GHQ). |
| Gao et al. (2009) Mainland China | 130 fathers | Measured at 6 to 8 weeks postpartum | Cross-sectional study | Lower perceived social support (r = −.58, p < .01). Higher perceived stress (r = .58, p < .01). Maternal depression (r = .37, p < .001). |
| Johnson and Baker (2004) Midlands and north east of England | 284 fathers, but 68 of them were bereaved fathers. | Assessed at the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, at childbirth or miscarriage, and 1 year postpartum or miscarriage. | Longitudinal study | Avoidant-orientated coping (R2 change = 0.24, F (11, 212) = 7.41, p < 0.001) |
| Paulson and Sharnail (2010) | 43 studies involving 28004 participants | Antenatal and postnatal | Meta-analysis | Partner's depression: positive correlation and moderate in size (r = 0.308; 95% CI, 0.2280.384). |
| Wang and Chen (2006) Taiwan | 83 postnatal Fathers. | Assessed at 6 weeks postpartum. | Cross-sectional study | Low self-esteem (r = .43, p < .01) |
| Wee et al. (2011) | 30 relevant articles (from 1996 and 2009) | Antenatal and postnatal | Systematic review | Poor relationship satisfaction |
| Zelkowitz et al. (1997) Canada | 50 fathers who had postnatal depression and 50 fathers whose partners were not postnatally depressed. | Assessed around 6 weeks postnatally | Cross-sectional study | Stress from work (42% of the index group as compared to 14% from the control group, p < .01). Economic pressures (20% of the index group as compared to 6% of the control group, p < .05). Social and family support (40% (index) versus 60% (control); 44% (index) versus 66% (control); 38% (index) versus 62% (control) respectively, all at p < .05). |