In recent years, the role of fathers in child development has gained increasing attention from the scientific and medical communities, highlighting the critical need to address paternal mental health during the perinatal period. Researchers from the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago have called for the systematic screening of new fathers for symptoms of mental distress, emphasizing that paternal well-being plays a substantial role in shaping a child’s developmental trajectory. Their expert commentary, published in the prestigious journal JAMA Pediatrics, supports a growing body of evidence demonstrating that fathers’ mental health in the months surrounding childbirth can significantly influence children’s social, emotional, cognitive, and language development.
The perinatal period, traditionally focused on maternal health, has been largely silent on paternal challenges despite mounting data showing that fathers suffer from depression, anxiety, and stress at rates comparable to mothers. In the United States alone, approximately 14 percent of fathers experience postpartum depression, a figure that is likely underestimated due to the social stigma and tendency of men to downplay psychological symptoms. This underreporting underscores the urgent need for tailored mental health assessments and support systems for fathers during pregnancy and beyond.
Craig Garfield, MD, MAPP, a pediatrician and founder of the Family & Child Health Innovations Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital, stresses the importance of incentivizing healthcare providers to integrate routine mental health screenings for fathers into perinatal care protocols. Dr. Garfield insists that such screenings should be normalized and destigmatized, much like the standard postpartum depression screening already established for mothers since 2010. “The transition to parenthood is an upheaval that affects both parents intensely,” he explains. “Mental health challenges in fathers are not only common but have cascading effects on the entire family system.”
Maternal screening and intervention programs have proven effective in mitigating postpartum depression and its harmful effects on early childhood development. Similarly, recognizing and addressing paternal mental health might advance family-centered care paradigms, fostering healthier family dynamics and improving long-term outcomes for children’s brain development. Neuroscientific research corroborates this clinical perspective, illustrating that paternal mental health issues can interfere with early father-infant bonding processes, thereby impeding vital social and emotional scaffolding during critical periods of neurodevelopment.
To better capture and address the mental health needs of new fathers, Dr. Garfield spearheaded the creation of PRAMS for Dads—a pioneering public health survey tool adapted from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System. Initially launched in Georgia, PRAMS for Dads is anticipated to expand to eight states by the end of 2025 with ongoing efforts to achieve national implementation. This tool collects comprehensive data on paternal mental health, well-being, and behavioral health risk factors, enabling public health authorities to allocate targeted resources and develop evidence-based interventions that support fathers’ engagement and resilience.
Importantly, the PRAMS for Dads initiative has yielded valuable insights into the influence fathers wield in critical postpartum health practices. Prior research using this system revealed fathers’ involvement is a key predictor of successful breastfeeding initiation and the adherence to safe infant sleep guidelines, both vital components for reducing infant morbidity and mortality. Such findings underscore the multidimensional role fathers play—not merely as caregivers but as active agents shaping infant health trajectories through behavioral modeling and environmental structuring.
Global interest in fatherhood research continues to grow, with Dr. Garfield recently contributing to “Mapping the Future of Fatherhood in Australia” as a Thinker in Residence at Deakin University. This international collaboration highlights shared challenges across cultural contexts and the universal imperative to redefine paternal health within broader family health frameworks. Dialogues emerging from this initiative advocate for policy reforms, dedicated paternal mental health services, and inclusive public health messaging that validates fathers’ experiences and promotes proactive engagement.
The commentary from Lurie Children’s experts, including Clarissa Simon, PhD, MPH, and John James Parker, MD, reinforces the call for clinical and systemic shifts in how healthcare institutions approach fatherhood. Their continuous work through the Family & Child Health Innovations Program produces annual Father’s Day reports that consolidate emerging research and policy recommendations designed to fortify paternal involvement and well-being. Such initiatives represent crucial steps toward integrating paternal health metrics into pediatric and family medicine practices, thereby fostering holistic care models.
The broader implication of this research transcends the individual family unit, suggesting that the mental health of fathers is an underutilized leverage point in preventing developmental and behavioral disorders in children. Early childhood is marked by rapid brain plasticity, and adverse influences during this period have been linked to lifelong cognitive and emotional difficulties. Thus, improving paternal mental health may yield profound long-term benefits, reducing societal burdens associated with mental health disorders and developmental delays.
Given the multilayered impact of paternal mental health, healthcare systems must acknowledge both biological and social determinants that affect fathers during the perinatal stage. These include hormonal fluctuations, psychosocial stressors, economic pressures, and changing family roles. An integrative understanding of these mechanisms can inform therapeutic approaches, ranging from counseling and peer support to pharmacological interventions where necessary, crafted to meet the unique needs of fathers.
As scientific inquiry continues to unravel the complexities of fatherhood and child development, the integration of paternal screening into routine perinatal care emerges as an evidence-based, actionable strategy. It is imperative to emphasize that supporting fathers is not a peripheral concern but a central component in optimizing public health outcomes. The work at Lurie Children’s Hospital, led by Dr. Garfield and colleagues, exemplifies a progressive movement toward inclusive family health that recognizes the integral role of fathers.
Clinicians, policymakers, and community stakeholders must collaborate to dismantle barriers preventing fathers from seeking help, including stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to mental health resources. Public education campaigns, healthcare provider training, and the development of father-friendly clinical environments are essential components of this transformation. Only through such comprehensive efforts can we ensure that fathers receive the recognition and support they deserve in their critical journey into parenthood.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, with its commitment to excellence in pediatric care and research, stands at the forefront of these initiatives. Its partnership with Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute fosters a robust ecosystem for translating research findings into clinical practice. By championing paternal mental health, the institution sets a model for healthcare providers nationwide, fostering a future where the health of every family member is prioritized for the sake of children’s development and the well-being of society at large.
Subject of Research: Paternal mental health screening and its impact on child development during the perinatal period
Article Title: [Not provided in the source content]
News Publication Date: [Not provided in the source content]
Web References:
– https://research.luriechildrens.org/en/researchers/craig-f-garfield/
– https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/family-child-health-innovations-program/
– https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/news-stories/first-public-health-survey-of-new-dads-to-help-improve-outcomes-for-entire-family/
– https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/news-stories/fathers-key-to-supporting-breastfeeding-and-safe-infant-sleep/
– https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/family-child-health-innovations-program/fchip-2025-fathers-day-report/
– https://www.luriechildrens.org/en/family-child-health-innovations-program/final-thoughts-from-a-thinker-in-residence/
References: JAMA Pediatrics (specific article citation not specified in source)
Keywords: Mental health, Fathers, Perinatal depression, Child development, Paternal screening, Postpartum depression, Family health, Pediatrics
