Antepartum stress, trait anxiety, and medical risks as predictors of fathers' postpartum worry after threatened preterm birth.

BACKGROUND

Preterm birth (PB) or its threat (TPB) can negatively affect paternal mental health, leading to increased worry. As specific paternal risk factors are understudied, this study aimed to identify psychological, maternal, and infant-related medical factors associated with paternal postpartum worry in the context of TPB and PB.

METHODS

In this longitudinal study, 112 men were assessed during their partner's pregnancy (T1) and six weeks postpartum (T2). Trait anxiety, worry, and chronic stress were measured using the State-Trait Anxiety-Depression Inventory (STADI) and the Trier Inventory for Chronic Stress (TICS). Maternal and infant medical data were collected from clinical records and standardised self-reports. Participants were assigned to either a risk group (RG) with term birth (TB) or PB, or a control group (CG: no TPB, term birth). Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of paternal worry.

RESULTS

Antepartum chronic stress predicted worry. Trait anxiety and obstetric factors, cervical insufficiency and preterm premature rupture of membranes, were significant predictors in RG-TB only. In the RG-PB, low infant birth weight showed a small but non-significant association with paternal worry.

CONCLUSION

Fathers exposed to TPB are at increased risk of postpartum worry, particularly with higher antepartum chronic stress, trait anxiety, and maternal complications, even when the infant is born at term. Chronic stress and trait anxiety, along with maternal complications and infant birth outcomes, contribute differentially to paternal worry. These findings highlight the importance of early support and stress prevention for fathers facing prenatal risk, regardless of birth outcome.