The impact of maternal Mental Health on childhood growth and development is well-established and widely recognized. This isn’t the case when it comes to paternal mental health. For the longest time, dads have been thought of merely as providers, with the sole object of paternity being to provide for the kids – by earning. This capacity for earning was the primary (if not sole) measure of a man’s worth as a father. Thankfully, those antiquated ideas are now being cast aside. With research published in recent years, we are beginning to appreciate the important role that fathers play in childhood development.

A father figure can have an influence over various aspects of child development, from language and cognitive function, to relationship patterns and social skills later in life. This influence can be positive or negative, depending on the mental health of the father.

The Expanding Role of Fathers in Childhood Care & Development

Over the past few decades there has been a trend towards greater paternal involvement because of shared parenting roles. While this change has been driven mainly by increased participation of mothers in the work force, it has also been helped along by cultural changes. These cultural changes include a shift in attitudes and ideas towards masculinity, as well as a growing recognition of the need for equality in gender roles. Unfortunately, the pace of cultural change leaves much to be desired and is also yet to be reflected in public policy. In many societies, fathers are still regarded as the ‘secondary’ parent, while policies echo this sentiment with mothers favored over fathers in custody battles and an absence of paternal leave in most parts of the world. Despite these barriers, an increasing number of men are more actively involved as parents and not just as ‘secondary’ ones.

For such men, fatherhood is a transformative experience that has an impact on the rest of their lives. It also has implications for their children and the entire family. Fathers can be a positive force in the growth and development of their children, forming a parenting dyad with their spouses. This paternal role in child care becomes even more critical in situations where a mother’s ability to parent is limited due to physical or mental health disorders. Studies show that fathers can act as a buffer in such cases, shielding a child from possible maternal behaviors that could have a negative impact on development. As is true with any role or responsibility, it’s easier to have an effective and positive influence when you are in the best of health, especially mentally. This reinforces the importance of paternal mental health.

Impact of Paternal Mental Illnesses on Childhood Development

Mental illnesses like chronic stress and anxiety disorders, depression, bipolar disorder, and addictions have become increasingly common among the wider population and fathers can be particularly vulnerable to some disorders. Researchers have been trying to understand the impact that such mental illnesses can have on child development, with stress and depression being most closely studied because of the pervasive nature of these problems. A study published in the Early Childhood Research Quarterly, offers some important insights into the impact of paternal mental health on child development.

They found that paternal stress could adversely affect cognitive and language development in children even with the influence of mothers taken into account. Interestingly, the extent to which paternal stress affects children can vary, depending on the child’s gender too, affecting boys more than girls. The study also puts to rest the idea that a father’s mental health is less important than a mother’s, as both parents’ mental health were found to have equally significant implications in the development of child behavioral disorders. Surprisingly, a father’s mental health may also have more significant long term ramifications than we realized. Depression symptoms in a father can adversely impact the development of social skills in a child much later in life.

These effects of paternal mental illness should not come as a surprise, as we know that mental health has a direct influence on parental interactions with children. Depression in fathers is associated with negative parenting behaviors, such as hostility and intrusiveness, while there is a lack of supportiveness and affection. Paternal anxiety disorders and OCD on the other hand are linked to overprotective and overcontrolling paternal behaviors, which leads to an increased risk of anxiety in children. Similarly, a father suffering from PTSD is likely to be irritable and detached in interactions with his child and may also use corporal punishment frequently. These behaviors are known to have a stronger impact on children’s mental health even when compared to other paternal mental illnesses. Substance abuse in fathers is also associated with some of the worst outcomes in childhood development, but this risk can be significantly reduced if the father stops substance use before the child reaches the age of 6 years.

None of these outcomes are guaranteed and the risks can be easily mitigated through adequate self-care and increased awareness. Parenting programs and policies also need to be more supportive and inclusive towards fathers, as men are less likely than women to seek help or find someone to confide in. If you are a dad who is struggling to cope with anxiety, stress, depression, substance abuse, other mental illnesses, or the pressures of parenting, reach out to groups like Project Fatherhood, Fathers & Families Support Center, and DadsMOVE.

The post How a Father’s Mental Health Can Impact Childhood Development first appeared on Stuff Parents Need.