The Impact of Men’s Stress during the Prenatal Period on Relationship Conflict, Paternal Depression, and Feelings about Becoming a Father

Participants were 520 men attending prenatal appointments with their partners. Using path analysis, results indicated that paternal stress impacts relationship conflict, which influences men’s depressive symptoms; in turn, depression negatively impacts their excitement about becoming fathers. Efforts to reduce fatherhood stress, improve relationships, and increase father involvement will be discussed.