The occurrence of symptoms in expectant fathers.

A longitudinal study of 91 expectant fathers was done during early, middle, and late pregnancy to determine (a) which fathers were most likely to experience symptoms and (b) the relationship of the symptoms to emotional state. Men who were working-class, black, or who reported that pregnancy was not planned experienced more symptoms during pregnancy. White expectant fathers reported an increase in somatic symptoms as pregnancy progressed; black expectant fathers indicated a decrease. However, black expectant fathers consistently reported more symptoms than white expectant fathers. Symptom manifestation in expectant fathers was positively associated with anxiety.