Randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of a childbirth and parenting booklet intervention on paternal postpartum depression risk.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Paternal postpartum depression (PPPD) remains underrecognized globally, despite prevalence estimates comparable to maternal depression. This study investigated whether a childbirth and parenting booklet distributed to expectant fathers during the prenatal period could reduce the risk of PPPD.

Methods

We performed a parallel-group, randomized controlled trial conducted in an obstetrics clinic in Japan. We recruited expecting fathers and their pregnant partners at 28-32 weeks gestation. In total, the intervention and control groups comprised 236 and 234 couples, respectively. The intervention comprised of a childbirth and parenting booklet that was distributed to the fathers by postal mail at 32 to 34 weeks gestation. The primary outcome was the incidence of paterna

SUBMITTER: Ichinose Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12522627 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature