Last update:
15-Jul-2026

OBJECTIVE To explore the postnatal anxiety and depressive symptoms in fathers with preterm infants in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and their association with clinical and sociodemographic factors.

METHOD Sixty fathers whose infants had gestational age (GA) <34 weeks (w) and birth weight (BW) <1,750 g completed a demographic form, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory Scale (STAI) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), at 1st week of NICU stay (1st assessment), at 1st month (2nd assessment) and at discharge of the NICU (3rd assessment).

RESULTS STAI score for state anxiety to fathers was significantly higher at 1st assessment (mean±standard deviation [SD]: 47.1±12.2) compared to the other two assessments (mean±SD: 42.8±9.8 and mean±SD: 41.7±9.1, respectively), while trait anxiety indicated no significant variability. Moreover, fathers experienced higher levels of depression on the 1st assessment compared to the 3rd one (mean±SD: 10.3±5.8, mean±SD: 6.4±5.2, p<0.001, respectively). Other factors that contributed to higher levels of depression were the Apgar score at 5th min of the newborns, while maternal age and health problems were found to be associated with both anxiety and depression in fathers. In terms of demographic characteristics, fathers' age was found to be correlated with trait anxiety levels.

CONCLUSIONS Fathers of preterm infants are at increased risk of adverse mental health effects during the early postnatal period and throughout the hospitalization of their infants in the NICU, highlighting the need of early screening and continuous care.

Key words: Anxiety, Depression, Fathers, Neonatal intensive care unit, Prematurity.