Anxiety among fathers during the prenatal and postpartum period: a meta-analysis
Jenn A. Leiferman, Charlotte V. Farewell, Jennifer S. Jewell, Rachael Lacy, Jessica Walls, Benjamin Harnke, James F. Paulson
Abstract
Introduction The purpose of this review was to determine the prevalence of anxiety among fathers during the perinatal (pre- and post-natal) period.Methods A systematic search was conducted to identify studies published between 1995–2020. One hundred and seventy-two of the records met inclusion criteria and full texts were screened for eligibility. The authors followed PRISMA guidelines to extract the data.Results A total of 23 studies, representing 40,124 participants, are included in this meta-analysis. The overall random effects estimate of paternal perinatal anxiety was 10.69% (95% confidence interval (CI): 8.14 − 13.91%). Rates of paternal perinatal anxiety demonstrated significant heterogeneity that was large in magnitude (Q = 304,494, p < .001, I2 = 99.93 and τ2 = .5381). Study quality rating did not appear to moderate rates of paternal perinatal anxiety (low: 10.74%; 95% CI: 6.56–17.11%; high: 10.65%; 95% CI: 6.02– 18.15%).Discussion Paternal perinatal anxiety rates in this meta-analysis are considerably higher than the global WHO regional prevalence rates for anxiety among men suggesting the transition into parenthood may place men at greater risk for anxiety.