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Perspectives on supporting fathers affected by postnatal depression and a history of violence

Laws, Thomas; Keeling, June

Authors

Thomas Laws



Abstract

Intimate partner violence in the perinatal period is a significant problem that remains underscreened, underdiagnosed and undertreated. The establishment of evidence-based guidelines to enable health visitors to identify couples experiencing violence and offer appropriate support has been hampered by the complex interplay between maternal and paternal mental health problems and violence. This study explored the experiences of UK fathers who voluntarily engaged with services designed to eliminate their ideation to violence. The findings indicate that the tendency to violence is increased by stresses associated with the transition to parenthood. Men felt pressured by concerns for their partner's mental health, changes in the relationship, sleep disturbances and the burden of infant care they assumed when the mother was unable to cope. Health visitors are ideally placed to assess for factors linked to the emergence of violence and put in place interventions to minimise occurrence.

Citation

Laws, T., & Keeling, J. (2018). Perspectives on supporting fathers affected by postnatal depression and a history of violence. Journal of Health Visiting, 6(1), 40-47. https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2018.6.1.40

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Jan 23, 2018
Publication Date Jan 2, 2018
Deposit Date Jun 5, 2023
Journal Journal of Health Visiting
Print ISSN 2050-8719
Electronic ISSN 2052-2908
Publisher Mark Allen Healthcare
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 6
Issue 1
Pages 40-47
DOI https://doi.org/10.12968/johv.2018.6.1.40
Keywords Fathers › Depression › Men’s health › Postpartum› Support needs › ViolenceThomas