“Whispered on Only the Darkest Corners of the Internet:”: A Qualitative Descriptive Study Exploring Fathers’ Experiences with Paternal Postpartum Depression on Reddit
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: At least 10% of fathers experience depressive symptoms during the postpartum period, yet they are often overlooked and under-supported. It is critical to understand paternal postpartum depression as it has been linked to serious consequences, such as increased suicide risk among fathers. Further, paternal postpartum depression influences the entire family unit as it has been associated with maternal mental health issues and negative father-infant interactions. Through a qualitative descriptive design, we aimed to (1) identify the factors that fathers report as contributors to their postpartum depression symptoms, and (2) examine the reported postpartum depression symptoms among fathers and the associated impacts on their lives. Using thematic analysis, we analyzed 63 anonymous Reddit posts by fathers about their paternal postpartum depression experiences. Contributors included: (1) altered role adjustment, (2) resource-demand imbalance, (3) challenging maternal and infant circumstances, and (4) disparate yet concurrent realities. Symptoms included: (1) cognitive-emotional, (2) somatic, and (3) masked. Impacts included: (1) fractured social connections, (2) diminished career satisfaction and performance, and (3) positive outcomes on the other side. Fathers experienced various contributors, symptoms, and impacts of paternal postpartum depression. There is a critical need to increase awareness of and support for paternal postpartum depression to increase overall postpartum family well-being.
Source: UNC Libraries
DOI: 10.17615/wp6n-1m31
Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Support for Pioneering Research Initiated by the Next Generation, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Ralph W. and Grace M. Showalter Research Trust Fund, Beatson Cancer Charity, Wellcome Trust, Health and Care Research Wales, National Centre for the Replacement, Refinement and Reduction of Animals in Research, Schweizerischer Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung, Københavns Universitet, National Natural Science Foundation of China, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Austrian Science Fund, Chulalongkorn University, Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province, Natural Science Foundation of Jiangxi Province, Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing, University of British Columbia, Deutsche Krebshilfe, Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province, Nanjing Medical University, TrygFonden, National Lottery Community Fund, Thailand Science Research and Innovation, National Institutes of Health, Directorate for Biological Sciences, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Erasmus Research Institute of Management, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Health Research Council of New Zealand, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Dirección General de Asuntos del Personal Académico, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Earmarked Fund for Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System, National Key Research and Development Program of China, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Klinisk Institut, Aalborg Universitet, National Institute of Nursing Research, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolic Diseases, High Level Innovation and Entrepreneurial Research Team Program in Jiangsu
OpenAlex ID: W7166747681