By Dr. Petrus Raulino
A meta-analysis published in The Journal Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology found that the prevalence of anxiety among men during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy up to the first year postpartum, was almost 11%.
This rate was much higher than the expected prevalence rate.
Estimates from the World Health Organization suggest that the prevalence of anxiety in men in the global regions studied should range from 2.2% to 3.8%.
In the meta-analysis, the rate of anxiety during pregnancy was 9.9%, while during the first year postpartum it was 11.7%.
To arrive at these figures, the researchers analyzed data from 23 studies, representing 40,124 participants.
Study results
The study showed that paternal anxiety disorder has a significant prevalence, with a potential direct impact on the support that the father gives to the mother and the baby.
It's a fact that many men increase their anxiety levels in the period of transition to fatherhood. The birth of a son or daughter is a very important event in life.
The changes that parenthood brings influence emotions, relationships, finances and professional issues.
Therefore, seeking personalized assessment and specialized professional knowledge can be the key to a good prognosis. There is no health without mental health.
References
Leiferman, J. A., Farewell, C. V., Jewell, J., Lacy, R., Walls, J., Harnke, B., & Paulson, J. F. (2021). Anxiety among fathers during the prenatal and postpartum period: a meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1-10.
World Health Organization (2017). Depression and other common mental disorders: global health estimates. World Health Organization.
