Becoming a father: when your own childhood matters again

The birth of a first child changes a lot: new roles, little sleep, a different relationship with one's partner. During this time, experiences from one's own childhood can also come closer to the surface. Until now this has mainly been studied in mothers. An Australian long-term study has now surveyed 718 men in the first year after the birth of their first child.

About six in ten fathers reported at least one difficult experience in childhood, roughly one in five reported four or more. The more such experiences, the more often depressive symptoms and anxiety occurred and the lower their wellbeing. This was particularly clear after sexual violence, after hurtful words in childhood and with the feeling of not having been loved as a child.

The study shows associations, not causes, and the childhood experiences were asked about in retrospect. It does suggest, however, that it makes sense to ask fathers about their own history too when they are struggling mentally around the time of the birth. Anyone who feels burdened during this phase of life does not have to deal with it alone.