The effects of fatherhood on the health of men: a review of the literature

Abstract

This article reviews wide-ranging literature with professional and theoretical perspectives. The methods included case studies, qualitative interviews, surveys of selected clinic populations, prospective epidemiological studies, and analyses of nationally representative databases. The review is organized by the stage in the paternal lifecycle: pregnancy, labor and delivery, postpartum period, parenthood, and child custody with the following key findings: Pregnancy: recent research reveals that pregnancy induces detectable physiological changes in male partners. Case studies indicate that some fathers-to-be experience a variety of physical symptoms that mimic their partner's health changes, a phenomenon referred to as couvade. But empirical research does not establish the existence of couvade on a wide-scale basis. Labor and delivery: research reveals that the labor and delivery experience is often a difficult time for the father. Substantial percentages of men felt coerced, ill-prepared, ineffective, and/or psychologically excluded from the event. Postpartum period: case studies and qualitative research indicate that the first year after childbirth is a time of emotional upheaval for first-time fathers, who must adapt to the presence of an infant who commands priority from his partner. Parenthood: in the long term, the weight of evidence indicates that fatherhood is beneficial to a man's health. The health effects of fatherhood are probably mediated by a variety of other variables, including number of children, role competency, and lifestyle. Child custody: fathers who lose custody were consistently found to be at greater risk for chronic health conditions, psychological impairment, and death. Of particular concern is the suicide risk of divorced men who become legally disenfranchised from their children.

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