Abstract

Introduction

Fathers are increasingly recognized as playing a critical role in the family unit and emotional development of children. The birth of a preterm baby can be confronting, yet there is limited research that explores how preterm birth might impact on father’s emotional wellbeing and quality of life. The aim of the study was to monitor quality of life and psychological wellbeing in a group of fathers to explore if a preterm birth altered outcomes in these two domains.

Methods

Institutional ethics committee approval was obtained. Australian men (N = 1000) were recruited in the antenatal period via their pregnant partner, and completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) in the third trimester and again 6 weeks after the birth of their baby. Birth records were independently audited to determine which fathers experienced preterm birth.

Results

Data was available for 1000 and 950 fathers at each time point. Overall, 72 (7.2%) of fathers experienced preterm birth and 928 (92.8%) had a term birth. Fathers of preterm infants were significantly older (p = 0.002) and less likely to be married or in a defacto relationship (p = 0.043). Preterm babies were more likely to be delivered by cesarean section, have a low birthweight and require admission to a special care or neonatal intensive care unit (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in HADS total, anxiety or depression subscale and SWLS scores in the antenatal period. Six weeks after the birth, fathers of preterm babies were significantly more likely to meet the case criteria for anxiety compared to fathers of term babies (25 vs. 12%, p = 0.02). This was due to persisting anxiety in preterm fathers (p < 0.001). They also reported significantly lower SWLS scores compared to fathers of term infants (27.31 vs. 27.88, p = 0.011). However, there were no differences in depression or HADS total scores.

Conclusion

Following birth of a preterm baby, persisting anxiety may affect quality of life of fathers. Routine screening of fathers of preterm babies may identify men who could benefit from referral for psychological intervention.

中文翻译：

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做父亲的太早了。早产和足月婴儿父亲的焦虑、抑郁和生活质量：一项纵向研究

摘要

介绍

父亲越来越被认为在家庭单元和孩子的情感发展中发挥着关键作用。早产儿的出生可能会面临挑战，但探索早产如何影响父亲的情绪健康和生活质量的研究有限。该研究的目的是监测一组父亲的生活质量和心理健康，以探索早产是否会改变这两个领域的结果。

方法

获得了机构伦理委员会的批准。澳大利亚男性 ( N = 1000)通过其怀孕的伴侣 在产前期间招募，并在妊娠晚期和出生后 6 周再次完成医院焦虑和抑郁量表 (HADS) 和生活满意度量表 (SWLS)婴儿。出生记录经过独立审计，以确定哪些父亲经历过早产。

结果

每个时间点有 1000 名和 950 名父亲的数据可用。总体而言，72 位（7.2%）父亲早产，928 位（92.8%）位早产。早产儿的父亲显着年长（p  = 0.002）并且不太可能结婚或处于事实上的关系中（p  = 0.043）。早产儿更有可能通过剖宫产分娩，出生体重低，需要入住特殊护理或新生儿重症监护室（p  < 0.001）。产前HADS总分、焦虑或抑郁分量表和SWLS评分无显着差异。出生六周后，与足月婴儿的父亲相比，早产儿的父亲更有可能满足焦虑症的病例标准（25% vs. 12%，p  = 0.02)。这是由于早产父亲的持续焦虑（p  < 0.001）。他们还报告说，与足月婴儿父亲相比，SWLS 分数显着降低（27.31 对 27.88，p  = 0.011）。然而，抑郁症或 HADS 总分没有差异。

结论

早产儿出生后，持续的焦虑可能会影响父亲的生活质量。对早产儿父亲的常规筛查可能会识别出可以从转诊进行心理干预中受益的男性。