Effects of Emotional Violence Experienced by Fathers From Their Partners in the Postpartum Period on Depression Level and Father–Infant Attachment

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of emotional violence experienced by fathers from their partners in the postpartum period on fathers' depression level and father–infant attachment. The data of this descriptive and correlational study were collected from 350 fathers of infants aged 3–12 months in the postpartum period. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Paternal–Infant Attachment Questionnaire (PIAQ). The independent-sample t-test, the chi-square test, Fisher's Exact Test, the Fisher Freeman Halton test and Linear Regression were used for the data analyzes. The rate of emotional violence experienced by the fathers was 43%. Fathers who were exposed to emotional violence by their spouses had higher EPDS total scores (p = 0.001), while their PIAQ total scores (p = 0.001) were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.01). A weak and statistically significant correlation was found between EPDS total scores and PIAQ total scores (r = –0.357, p = 0.001). According to linear regression analysis, the effect of emotional violence on fathers' depression level (p < 0.001) and father–infant attachment level (p < 0.001) was statistically significant. Health professionals should identify the perpetrators and victims of violence and refer them to relevant rehabilitative resources for the welfare of families and newborns.