Abstract

GABRIEL, Marília Reginato; SILVA, Milena da Rosa; PORTUGAL, Paula  and  PICCININI, Cesar Augusto. Maternal postpartum depression and father involvement in the first year of the child. Aletheia [online]. 2015, n.46, pp. 50-65. ISSN 1413-0394.

The present study investigated father's involvement in infant's first year in the context of the maternal postpartum depression (PPD). Eleven fathers from 23 to 44 years participated in this study, whose wives presented PPD symptoms were interviewed. The interviews were examined through content analyzes, based on three dimensions of father involvement: interaction, accessibility and responsibility. Results showed that interactions between father-infant pervaded situations of playing and care giving. However, the latter were less often and most commonly were done upon the request of the mother. Feelings of incompetence and insecurity about the care concern for the emotional state of the mother and her overhead also were reported. Father also showed problems regarding time to assist the mother in care giving for the child, pointing for the mother the greatest responsibility for the child. The results suggest that in the context of DDD the father may be so weakened as the mother and thus he may have difficulties in coping with the demands of emotional and instrumental maternal support, as well as to engage with the child.

Keywords : Father involvement; Father-baby relationship; Fatherhood; Post-partum depression.

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