Paternal depression increase the risk of childhood behavioral issues

When a parent fails to talk to their doctor about a prescription to Paxil to treat their depressive symptoms, they are hurting more than themselves. New research suggests that allowing depression to progress unchecked can also affect the children.

A team of researchers from New York University analyzed the behavioral health of nearly 22,000 children and their mothers and fathers. The results showed that young people were 72 percent more likely to suffer from behavioral emotional problems when their fathers had depression. Additionally, maternal mood problems compounded the issue.

The researchers said that the connection between depression among mothers and childhood behavioral problems is well documented. However, this is among the first studies to show a correlations be fathers' depression and childhood issues.

"To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to use a representative US sample to demonstrate that living with fathers with depressive symptoms and other mental health problems is independently associated with increased rates of emotional or behavioral problems of children," the team wrote in their report.

The findings underscore the importance for fathers of seeking help for their mood problems. Ignoring the matter may lead to serious consequences.