Looking Beyond the Mother: Investigating Relationship Characteristics and Postpartum Depression Risk Factors

Postpartum depression (PPD) affects a notable number of women. While many of the risk and protective factors for PPD are specific to the mother, there are also factors that are related to the partner. However, the partner is often overlooked when assessing the landscape of PPD and potential treatment programs. This study sought to expand the knowledge on partner perceptions during the perinatal period. This online, cross-sectional survey of fathers who were in relationships with mothers who had given birth within the last five years or were currently pregnant, included the topics of PPD knowledge and experience, confidence and preparedness in dealing with postpartum changes, expected changes in the relationship, stress, relationship satisfaction, and communication quality. Results of the linear regression analyses indicated significant relationships between communication quality and confidence (p = 0.021), preparedness (p = 0.005), stress (p < 0.001), and postpartum relationship changes (p < 0.001). Relationship satisfaction was also significantly related to confidence (p < 0.001), preparedness (p < 0.001), stress (p < 0.001), and postpartum relationship changes (p < 0.001). These findings indicate that relationship characteristics may be a vital component in factors related to PPD. The increasing significance and strength of communication quality as a predictor of variables such as confidence in helping the mother cope with mental health struggles indicates that with increased communication skills and quality, couples can reduce their joint risk factors for PPD. Similar evidence was found for relationship satisfaction. This study supports the theory that partners are a vital component in the family system, and they have to ability to positively influence postpartum maternal mental health outcomes.