Depressed Dads more likely to spank their infants: Study

By Dr. Ananya Mandal, MDMar 14 2011

Until now it has been seen that post partum depression affects women in nearly 25% of cases. However latest research shows that new dads experience baby blues too. The results show that 7% of new fathers reported recent major depression, and many of them said they had spanked their 1-year-old babies. This new study appeared Monday in the journal Pediatrics.

The study concentrated on the impact of postpartum depression on specific parenting behaviors. Researchers analyzed interview data on 1,746 fathers who were living with 1-year-old babies in 1999-2000 in 16 major U.S. cities. The researchers found that 41% of those who reported feeling depressed spanked their babies, compared with 13% of dad without depression. What is shocking according to authors is that the children were only 1 year of age and this is a “developmental stage when children are unlikely to understand the connection between their behavior and subsequent punishment and when spanking is more likely to cause physical injury.” They also found that depressed fathers were less than half as likely as non-depressed fathers to read stories to their children.

The happier part is that 77% of the depressed fathers in the study said they had spoken with their child's doctor in the past year. This meant that they did take responsibility for the child’s well being. The authors say, “The finding that the majority of depressed fathers reported talking with their 1-year-old children's doctor in the previous year suggests an opportunity for pediatric providers to engage depressed fathers.” The authors recommend children's doctors discuss specific parenting behaviors with new fathers, consider screening them for depression and direct those who are depressed to appropriate treatment.

The American Academy of Pediatrics warns against spanking children of any age.