PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Depression is a major global health concern especially among mothers of young children in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While various risk and protective factors have been well-established, the role of fathers in potentially mitigating maternal depression remains understudied. This study aimed to investigate the association between father involvement and maternal depressive symptoms in rural Western Kenya. We used cross-sectional baseline data collected in February-March 2023 from a cluster-randomized controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of a community-based parenting program for improving early childhood development. Primary caregivers with children 0-18 months of age were enrolled into the trial across 51 villages in Nyamira and Vihiga counties. We analyzed data from 413 mothers who were in a relationship with a male partner (i.e., father of the young child). Maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the CESD-10. Father involvement was reported using a multidimensional measure of men\'s engagement in childcare activities, household chores, early learning activities, and affection towards their child. We used multilevel regression models to estimate the adjusted associations between father involvement (overall score and by specific domains) and maternal depressive symptoms. We also conducted exploratory subgroup analyses to assess whether this association differed by child age. Overall, greater father involvement was associated with fewer maternal depressive symptoms. Specifically, fathers\' engagement in household chores and childcare activities had the strongest protective associations. Exploratory subgroup analyses revealed larger associations for mothers with younger children under 6 months. Our findings suggest that father involvement is a protective factor for maternal mental health. Engaging fathers in early childhood interventions and encouraging men\'s involvement in caregiving activities may potentially benefit maternal well-being.
摘要：
抑郁症是一个主要的全球健康问题，尤其是在低收入和中等收入国家（LMICs）的幼儿母亲中。虽然各种风险和保护因素已经确立，父亲在减轻母亲抑郁中的作用仍未得到充分研究.这项研究旨在调查肯尼亚西部农村地区父亲参与与母亲抑郁症状之间的关系。我们使用了2023年2月至3月收集的横断面基线数据，该数据来自一项集群随机对照试验，评估了以社区为基础的育儿计划改善儿童早期发展的有效性。在Nyamira和Vihiga县的51个村庄中，有0-18个月大儿童的主要照顾者参加了试验。我们分析了413名与男性伴侣有关系的母亲的数据(即，孩子的父亲）。使用CESD-10测量母亲的抑郁症状。据报道，父亲的参与使用了男性参与育儿活动的多维测量，家务,早期学习活动，和对孩子的感情。我们使用多水平回归模型来估计父亲参与（总分和特定领域）与母亲抑郁症状之间的校正关联。我们还进行了探索性亚组分析，以评估这种关联是否因儿童年龄而异。总的来说,更多的父亲参与与更少的母亲抑郁症状相关.具体来说,父亲参与家务和育儿活动具有最强的保护协会。探索性亚组分析显示，母亲与6个月以下幼儿的关联更大。我们的发现表明，父亲的参与是母亲心理健康的保护因素。让父亲参与儿童早期干预和鼓励男性参与护理活动可能会有益于母亲的福祉。
