Families & the Community Report Roundup

Early Childhood

By Sarah D. Sparks — March 24, 2015 1 min read
  • Save to favorites
  • Print

It’s well established that a mother’s postpartum depression can have lasting effects on her children’s academic and social growth, and a new study suggests a decline in a father’s mental health can cause similar problems for his children.

The study, published online this month in the journal Couple and Family Psychology: Research and Practice, followed about 200 couples with 3- to 4-year-olds who had participated in a previous study of postpartum depression.

The researchers found that children of fathers who were depressed in the first year were more likely to show negative behaviors, including hitting, lying, anxiety, and sadness. Moreover, having a depressed parent (either mom or dad) was a stronger predictor of a toddler showing bad behaviors than parent fighting was. The study is part of a growing move to include fathers in evaluating the effects of parental support and involvement.

Related Tags:

A version of this article appeared in the March 25, 2015 edition of Education Week as Early Childhood

Events

Student Well-Being K-12 Essentials Forum Boosting Student and Staff Mental Health: What Schools Can Do
Join this free virtual event based on recent reporting on student and staff mental health challenges and how schools have responded.
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Curriculum Webinar
Practical Methods for Integrating Computer Science into Core Curriculum
Dive into insights on integrating computer science into core curricula with expert tips and practical strategies to empower students at every grade level.
Content provided by Learning.com

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
View Jobs
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
View Jobs
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
View Jobs
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.
View Jobs

Read Next

Families & the Community Vaccine Rates Remain Down, Exemptions Are Up. What It Means for Schools
New federal data show that vaccine rates among schoolchildren have not rebounded since the pandemic.
    4 min read
    A student applies a bandage after receiving a dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a nurse, at a vaccination station in Jackson, Miss., Feb. 16, 2022.
    A Jackson, Miss. student receives a bandage on the arm after receiving a children's dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from a nurse, at a vaccination station in the city, Feb. 16, 2022.
    Rogelio V. Solis/AP
    Families & the Community New Research Finds a Crucial Factor in Reducing Chronic Absenteeism
    Just as strong connections with parents can boost students' academic achievement, new research shows the same is true in fighting absences.
    5 min read
    Illustration of happy school children running on a bridge handshake.
    iStock/Getty
    Families & the Community The Biden Administration Is Investing More in Parent Engagement. Will It Be Enough?
    The U.S. Department of Education announced $11 million in grants to support parent and family engagement.
    4 min read
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington on Aug. 5, 2021.
    Education Secretary Miguel Cardona speaks at the White House on Aug. 5, 2021. The U.S. Department of Education has announced a series of grants for organizations working on parent education and family engagement.
    Susan Walsh/AP
    Families & the Community District Leaders Are Walking a Fine Line on Cellphone Policies. What That Looks Like
    Administrators point to strategic ways to design student cellphone policies that parents won't oppose.
    5 min read
    Photo illustration of cell phone with red circle and slash.
    iStock / Getty Images Plus