Whether illness is chronic or acute, impacts can be seen.
There are several factors that impact a family’s vulnerability and resiliency.
Paternal (or partner) postpartum depression has been associated with adverse emotional and behavioural outcomes for children aged 3-5 years and an increased risk of conduct disorders in the children.
Those whose partners are experiencing postpartum depression often take over the role of primary caregiver during the time that their spouse is unable to do so. The young child may have to adapt to a new primary caregiver. If a caregiver experiences later onset depression, the attachment relationship that has already formed with the child may be impacted.
There are some factors that impact children prenatally that will have an impact on their future mental health. These include:
Approximately, 1 in 5 women experiences mental health concerns during and after pregnancy. For more information about postpartum depression and mental health issues, the impact on women, and how women can be supported, please see the Maternal Mental Health Section.
Although most research on postpartum depression has focused on the mother, partners of women who have experienced depression are 50% more likely to experience depression themselves. Partner depression may occur when the mother is experiencing postpartum depression, but often has a later onset.