Depression in fathers is strongly linked to behavioral problems in their children, a new study suggests.
While 6 percent of children with non-depressed parents had behavior problems, 11 percent of children with a depressed father did, according to the study.
"There are countless articles on the effect of depression and other mental health problems in mothers on children, but this is virtually the first paper that we are aware of that has looked at similar effects in fathers," said study author Dr. Michael Weitzman, of New York University School of Medicine.
To be sure, the researchers also found that 20 percent of children with a depressed mother had behavior problems, and the number rose 25 percent if both parents were depressed.
While 6 percent of children with non-depressed parents had behavior problems, 11 percent of children with a depressed father did, according to the study.
"There are countless articles on the effect of depression and other mental health problems in mothers on children, but this is virtually the first paper that we are aware of that has looked at similar effects in fathers," said study author Dr. Michael Weitzman, of New York University School of Medicine.To be sure, the researchers also found that 20 percent of children with a depressed mother had behavior problems, and the number rose 25 percent if both parents were depressed.
