AUTHOR=Roberts Joshua Paul , Satherley Rose-Marie , Iles Jane 

TITLE=It’s time to talk fathers: The impact of paternal depression on parenting style and child development during the COVID-19 pandemic

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Psychology

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1044664

DOI=10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1044664

ISSN=1664-1078

ABSTRACT=This study aimed to understand the relationship between paternal depression, parenting behaviour and child developmental outcomes during the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID) pandemic. In addition, the paternal experience of the pandemic, such as the impact of lockdowns, was explored. Fathers of children aged 6-11 (n = 87) were recruited for an online cross-sectional survey. Data was collected through questionnaires and open-ended comments. Regression analysis indicated a higher level of self-reported depressive symptomology in fathers more severely impacted by the pandemic across financial, familial and health domains. Further, COVID-19 impact, but not paternal depression, was linked to fewer authoritative parenting behaviours, characterised as lower warmth and responsiveness. Paternal pandemic impact and depression symptoms were independently predictive of child cognitive scores, and both were associated with emotional and behavioural outcomes. A content analysis of open-ended responses from fathers noted that concerns for their children, work and mental health were most prevalent during the pandemic. However, several responders also reported no change or positive facets of lockdowns related to the pandemic. These findings are discussed in the context of possible behavioural mechanism of action accounted for the relation to child development. Clinical implications include targeted interventions for at risk groups as well as psychoeducation for fathers that acknowledge difference in paternal coping and support seeking.