Paternal Mental Health and Parenting in the COVID-19 Pandemic Era

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has negatively affected the family economy by threatening job security, which has been acting as a source of stress for fathers. Social distancing has increased father-child interaction time and the burden of parenting. The parenting stress levels of fathers increased, and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety were induced. This was reported to be more serious in vulnerable groups, according to the race or socioeconomic status of the fathers. Fathers’ mental health problems in the context of COVID-19 affect father-child relationships and children’s adjustment in the long term. Healthcare professionals must develop community-based intervention programs to screen fathers’ risk factors and educate them on mental health issues, while considering the changing roles and mental health of fathers during the pandemic. Before another epidemic breaks out.