| Research shows that first time expectant father stress increases and marital satisfaction decreases during pregnancy. Depression which occurs frequently postpartum in mothers is undocumented for new fathers. Yet, the precursors for postpartum depression appear the same for men as women.; Forty-six couples in Washington County, Ohio participated in a study to examine the changes in anxiety, stress, depression and marital satisfaction levels in first time expectant fathers. Two measures for these variables were taken ante partum and one postpartum.; First, first time expectant fathers anxiety level increased as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale, Clinical Anxiety Scale, and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales during pregnancy and through two months postpartum. The results showed a significant difference in the mean scores for expectant fathers between Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3—F(2,43) = , p < .0001.; Second, marital satisfaction scores for first-time fathers decreased as measured by the Relationship Assessment Scale, Kansas Marital Conflict Scale, and Dyadic Assessment Scale during pregnancy and through two months postpartum. The results showed a significant difference in the mean scores for expectant fathers between Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3—F(2,43) = 33.8346 (DAS), 17.4591(RAS), and 18.6389 (KMCS) p < .0001.; Third, decrease in marital satisfaction scores for first-time fathers as measured by the Dyadic Assessment Scale was accompanied by significant partner dissonance scores on this instrument. That is, first-time fathers scores on the DAS decreased and partner scores were significantly different. There was a decrease in marital (relationship) satisfaction scores for first-time fathers. Further, this difference increased with decreased relationship satisfaction scores for first time expectant fathers.; Fourth, depression for first-time fathers as measured by the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scales-Depression sub scale increased during pregnancy and through two months postpartum. The results showed a significant difference in the mean scores for expectant fathers between Time 1, Time 2, and Time 3—F(2,43) = 10.10918, p < .0001.; Fifth, thematic data gathered during the postpartum period for first time expectant fathers supported the quantitative results. |
