A randomized controlled trial investigating the impact of coping strategies training for fathers during pregnancy on postnatal depression among couples

Abstract

Background: Postpartum depression (PPD) is a significant public health concern affecting both mothers and fathers, with paternal well-being being a crucial yet often neglected factor in family mental health. Objective: The present study investigated the impact of coping strategies training for fathers during pregnancy on couples' PPD. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted comprising 86 couples experiencing first-time pregnancy (43 per group) in Qazvin, Iran, in 2024. The intervention group received five virtual sessions (45–60 min each) on coping strategies, while the control group received routine prenatal education through their routine prenatal care visits. Results: Post-intervention, couples' perceived stress scores decreased significantly at the first and second follow-up in the intervention vs. control group. The training significantly increased problem-focused strategy scores by 2.76 points among mothers (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 1.51) and 1.89 points among fathers (SMD = 0.99) compared to controls at one-month postpartum, while reducing emotion-focused coping among mothers by −2.23 points (SMD = −1.03) and among fathers by −1.71 points (SMD = −0.77). PPD scores were significantly lower in the intervention group (mean difference of −5.51 among women and −4.55 among men; both p < 0.001). Conclusion: Antenatal coping strategies training for fathers can be an effective intervention to mitigate PPD by reducing their stress.