A new study found that children entering kindergarten whose fathers had depression were more likely to experience behavior issues and poor social skills by age 9. Even after accounting for various factors, paternal depression remained strongly linked to behavioral issues, with affected children scoring higher on oppositional behavior, hyperactivity, and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms, as well as exhibiting lower social skills. The study underscores the impact of paternal mental health on children beyond the early postpartum period.

Source: American Journal of Preventive Medicine