Published: 7 May 2021 at 08:54
Study needs volunteers to help improve support currently offered to fathers
Psychologists from Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) are carrying out important new research in order to help men who are suffering from paternal postnatal depression.
Postnatal depression was originally thought to be caused by hormonal changes and was a condition that only affected mothers. It is now acknowledged to be a non-psychotic depressive disorder affecting both sexes.
While maternal postnatal depression is now widely researched and health workers are vigilant to offer support for new mothers, it is still common for symptoms in men to go undetected and untreated. This is despite it affecting an estimated one in 10 new fathers.
Researchers from Anglia Ruskin are appealing for men who have struggled with postnatal depression to come forward and discuss their own experiences, with the aim of improving how health systems help fathers in the future.
Caroline Estrella, a PhD researcher at Anglia Ruskin, said:
The researchers are currently carrying out online interviews with men who have struggled with postnatal depression. To take part, men must be a biological adult father of born children and must be cohabiting with the mother of their child.
To register your interest or for further information, email Caroline Estrella at [email protected].