In mass culture, the image of a father is often reduced to a tireless optimist - fun, strong, reliable. But this archetype often hides a silent burden, which society prefers not to notice - the mental health of men, in particular parents, and its impact on children.
New data published in American Journal of Preventive Medicine challenges this "smiling" mask. The study under the leadership of Kristin Schmitz from Rutgers Medical School has revealed a direct link between depressive symptoms in parents and the problematic behavior of children at younger school age.
Analyzing the long -lasting Future of Families and Child Welbeing Study (FFCWS) data, scientists have explored more than 1,400 parents, most of whom spent at least half a time with their children. It turned out that if the father showed signs of depression, when the child was five years old, then by the age of nine, teachers noticed: behavior problems, reduced social skills, reduced ability to cooperate, signs of anger, anxiety and low self -esteem. The authors of the study explain that depression can weaken the emotional availability of the father and the ability to educate effectively. This increases the level of stress in the family and creates an atmosphere in which the child may feel unprotected or neglected. The criticality of early childhood as a period of personality formation only increases the consequences: the first years of life are extremely vulnerable to external emotional influences. And the lack of support during this period - regardless of its reason - can echo in the child's behavior for many years. It turned out that in the US, 8% to 13% of parents experience depression in the first years of a child's life. If the mother also has postpartum depression, this figure can reach 50%. Despite its scale, the mental health of parents often remains an "invisible topic" - both in research and in medical practice. This research is one of the few that says openly: the depression of the father is not a private business, but a factor that directly affects the development of the child.
The authors emphasize the importance of early diagnosis and support. Only by recognizing the problem and helping parents can you create a healthier environment for the emotional development of children. Because a father's smile is not only a symbol, but also a resource that is worth keeping.
