Depression for Dads Linked to Spanking, Study Shows

Plenty of studies have been conducted on new moms who have the blues, but a new study on dads is turning up interesting results on the correlation between depression for fathers and physical punishment of a child.

The study, conducted by Dr. R. Neal and others out of Intermountain Healthcare in Murray, Utah, evaluated 1,746 fathers of 1-year-olds who had previously participated in a larger study (the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study), and determined that 7 percent of these fathers had experienced depression in the past year.

Of these fathers, the ones who were living with their children all or most of the time were questioned about four behaviors – spanking, reading stories three or more times a week, playing games and singing to their child.

Results showed no differences between the fathers in the study who had been depressed and those who had not when it came to playing games and singing, but dads who had struggled with depression were nearly half less likely to read to their children three or more times a week. Fathers who had experienced depression were also nearly four times more likely to report spanking their child in the past month.

This study was published in the American Academy of Pediatrics’ online journal. The Academy has come out against spanking as a means of punishment, especially for children under the age of 18 months. Not only can spanking cause injury, they say, it can also cause agitation and aggression in children.

By publishing this study, the Academy also hopes to increase awareness of depression in new fathers, and equip medical professionals to recognize the symptoms. These symptoms may include low sex drive, frustration, feelings of worthlessness and more.

To read the full study, visit the American Academy of Pediatrics’ online journal, Pediatrics.