Adverse childhood experiences and paternal mental health during the transition to fatherhood: Findings from a cohort study of Australian men.

BACKGROUND

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are associated with poorer mental health across the life course. However, research examining ACEs during the transition to parenthood has largely focused on mothers, with limited evidence on fathers.

OBJECTIVE

To examine associations between cumulative and specific ACEs and mental health and wellbeing among first-time fathers during the first year after their child's birth.

PARTICIPANTS AND

SETTING

Participants were 718 first-time fathers (Mage = 34.69 years; SD = 6.98 years) drawn from the Ten to Men Study, a population-representative cohort of Australian men.

METHODS

Fathers retrospectively reported ACEs using the ACE-10 questionnaire and completed measures of depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), problematic alcohol use (AUDIT), and wellbeing (Personal Wellbeing Index). Generalised linear models estimated associations between exposure to ACEs and outcomes, adjusting for study wave and demographic covariates. Models also examined independent associations between specific ACE types and outcome measures.

RESULTS

Compared with fathers reporting no ACEs, those reporting 2-3 ACEs showed higher depressive and anxiety symptoms and lower wellbeing, with stronger effects observed for those reporting ≥4 ACEs (all p < .05). Cumulative ACE exposure was not significantly associated with problematic alcohol use. Childhood sexual abuse, feeling unloved, and verbal abuse were independently associated with higher depression and anxiety and poorer wellbeing, while household substance use predicted higher problematic alcohol use.

CONCLUSIONS

ACEs are associated with poorer mental health and wellbeing among first-time fathers. Identifying fathers with childhood adversity histories may help inform early prevention and intervention efforts during the transition to parenthood.