Paid paternal leave linked to better mental health outcomes for dads
‘Paternal leave is not just a workplace benefit, it’s a public health issue’
- Dads who took unpaid leave were 58% more likely to report anxiety symptoms compared with dads who took paid leave
- Those who wanted to take leave but couldn’t were more likely to experience symptoms of both depression, anxiety
- Most commonly cited obstacle to taking leave was a financial barrier
CHICAGO — A new study from Northwestern University and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago highlights the critical role paid paternal leave plays in supporting new dads’ mental health following the birth of their baby.
Using data from a large population-representative survey, the study found that when fathers do not have access to paid leave or cannot take needed time off, they face significantly higher levels of anxiety and depression.
“Bottom line, mental health and paternity leave are linked,” said corresponding author and fatherhood expert Dr. Craig Garfield, professor of pediatrics and medical social science at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a pediatrician at Lurie Children’s. “Our findings underscore that paternal leave is not just a workplace benefit, it’s a public health issue that can deeply impact families and children.”
The study will be published June 18 in the American Journal of Public Health.
The scientists analyzed data from the 2022-2023 Ohio Fatherhood Survey (OFS), one of the most comprehensive sources on fathers’ experiences during the perinatal period in the U.S. They examined the relationship between leave status and mental health outcomes using validated screening tools for depression and anxiety. Among 4,290 new fathers in the study, 6.6% had depression and 11% had anxiety. Fifteen percent of the fathers did not take leave; 54% took paid leave; 22% took unpaid leave; and 9% took a mix of unpaid and paid leave.
A breakdown of the findings:
- Unpaid leave is linked to increased anxiety: Fathers who took unpaid leave were 58% more likely to report anxiety symptoms compared with those who had paid leave.
- Not taking leave strongly associated with mental health risk: Fathers who reported wanting but not taking leave were more likely to experience symptoms of both depression and anxiety.
- Significant financial barriers: Among dads experiencing mental health symptoms, the most commonly cited obstacle to taking leave was a financial barrier (approximately 75% of those with depressive symptoms and 71% of those with anxiety symptoms).
The transition to parenthood is a well-documented period of emotional and psychological vulnerability for mothers, but this study highlights how fathers are also at risk. Despite increasing recognition of fathers’ roles in early child development, policies and workplace norms often lag in addressing their needs. This study adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that equitable access to paid parental leave can have far-reaching benefits, including:
- Improved mental health for fathers
- Stronger parent-child bonding
- Greater family stability and well-being
What this means for policymakers and employers
The results point to actionable opportunities for policymakers and employers alike. Expanding paid parental leave programs, addressing financial barriers and normalizing dads’ use of leave could have measurable impacts on population health, Garfield said.
“As the U.S. continues to discuss how best to support families from day one, paid paternity leave is one valuable tool to use,” Garfield said. “Our results show that paid leave can help new dads as they transition into fatherhood, giving them time and resources to get off on the right foot.”
Plans to study more nationwide populations
This study builds on earlier research from Garfield. A previous study published in 2025 found 64% of fathers reported taking less than two weeks of leave after the birth of their child, and only 36% of dads reported taking more than two weeks of leave. That study used data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for Dads (PRAMS for Dads survey), which Garfield created and first piloted in Georgia in 2018. PRAMS for Dads will soon be fielding survey responses in 11 states, which will help further this work nationally, Garfield said.
“Mothers and children are certainly important. But, as we approach Father’s Day, to ensure the best outcomes for our children and families, we need to think about families holistically and how they function in today’s society. States across the country recognize a gap in this essential perinatal public health data and are excited to have a solution.”
The study is titled, “Paternity Leave Status and Mental Health Symptoms Among Ohio Fathers: A Population-Representative Survey, 2022–2023.” Clarissa Simon is a co-author. The study also was conducted in partnership with the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center.
Journal
American Journal of Public Health
Article Title
Paternity Leave Status and Mental Health Symptoms Among Ohio Fathers: A Population-Representative Survey, 2022–2023.
Article Publication Date
18-Jun-2026
Longer paternal leave linked to lower risk of depression
Karolinska Institutet
Fathers who take several months of parental leave have a lower risk of developing depressive symptoms during the early years of their child’s life than fathers who take only a short period of leave. This is shown by a new Swedish study involving researchers from Karolinska Institutet, published in the journal American Journal of Public Health.
Research on parental leave has traditionally focused on mothers’ health, while less attention has been paid to fathers’ mental health. In this study, researchers followed 746 Swedish fathers over 18 months, starting when their babies were around 9 months old. Fathers answered questions about depressive symptoms at the start of the study and again at the follow-up, when their children were about 27 months old. Information about fathers’ parental leave was collected at the later follow‑up.
Because fathers’ mental health might influence how much leave they take, the researchers accounted for fathers’ depressive symptoms measured at the start of the study. They also adjusted for factors such as family and socio-economic circumstances, and the amount of parental leave taken by the mother.
Better mental health
The results show that fathers who took 14-40 weeks of parental leave were significantly less likely to show signs of depression than fathers who only took up to four weeks of leave. Fathers who took 5–13 weeks did not show the same pattern, and neither did those who took more than 40 weeks, when compared with the up‑to‑four‑weeks group.
In Sweden, each parent has 90 non-transferable parental leave days (about 13 weeks).
“Our results suggest that fathers who take parental leave beyond the 90 days, but not more than 60 per cent of the total leave, may have better mental health, says Michael Wells, docent at the Department of Women’s and Children’s Health at Karolinska Institutet, who conducted the study together with Jingyi Wang at the same department.
More secure in the parenting role
A hypothesis is that having sustained time at home helps fathers build a closer connection with their child, feel more secure in the parenting role and establish everyday routines, which may, in turn, reduce the risk of depressive symptoms.
At the same time, the researchers emphasise that the study is observational and therefore cannot establish cause and effect. Another limitation is that information on parental leave was based on fathers’ self-reports.
The study was carried out together with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in China and was funded by Region Stockholm. The researchers report no conflicts of interest.
Publication: “Beyond the 90 Reserved Days for Each Parent: Associations Between Fathers’ Parental Leave Duration and Depression Symptoms in a Swedish National Cohort Study”, Jingyi Wang & Michael B. Wells, American Journal of Public Health, online 18 June 2026, doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2026.308589.
Journal
American Journal of Public Health
Method of Research
Observational study
Subject of Research
People
Article Title
Beyond the 90 Reserved Days for Each Parent: Associations Between Fathers’ Parental Leave Duration and Depression Symptoms in a Swedish National Cohort Study
Article Publication Date
18-Jun-2026
Videos help new dads learn about infant safety before bringing newborn home
Hospital newborn nursery shown to be a feasible setting to engage fathers in preventing child injury
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Brief videos shown in the hospital newborn nursery may be an effective way to educate first-time fathers on infant care topics, such as safe sleep, infant crying and car safety, according to a pilot study published in the journal Pediatrics Open Science. These topics were selected as common parental knowledge gaps and successful targets of previous educational interventions for mothers.
“New fathers often report feeling like bystanders in healthcare settings, with parenting supports primarily focused on the mother from pregnancy through the postpartum,” said Mikaela Thompson from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, who led the study supervised by Craig Garfield, MD, an expert on fathers’ role in child development, from Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago. “Our study recognizes the importance of involving fathers in child health, and especially in infant injury prevention, from the very beginning of becoming a father.”
Previous research has shown that unintentional injuries, including those related to unsafe sleep, frustration with crying and poor car seat safety, are the leading causes of death in young children.
“The videos in our study on key injury prevention topics are a novel educational intervention soon after infant birth that offers unique opportunities to reach fathers who may not be able to come to infant healthcare visits,” explained Dr. Garfield, also Professor of Pediatrics and Medical Social Sciences at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “We show that the newborn nursery is indeed a viable setting for father-focused instruction—fathers may actually be looking for this sort of information at this time.”
The study recruited 167 first-time fathers of full-term infants. On enrollment, participants completed an initial survey and viewed brief evidence-based videos that featured a real father and his 2-week-old infant, with educational content presented by a pediatrician or a childhood injury-prevention expert. Participants completed a pre-and post-viewing knowledge survey, and additional knowledge and behavior questions one week and one month after discharge.
Researchers found that fathers’ knowledge about safe sleep and infant crying improved significantly after the video intervention, but these gains were not fully sustained post-discharge. Knowledge about the use of a rear-facing car seat was high, with safe riding in the appropriate car seat universal among the study participants.
“Our finding suggests that at-home reinforcement or ‘booster sessions’ might be needed to maintain learning and support behaviors, especially in the first year,” said Dr. Garfield. “Text messaging might help support study retention. In the future, video-based, father-focused intervention could be expanded to other clinical settings, such as the neonatal intensive care unit and well-child visits.”
Funding for this project came from an Ascend at the Aspen Institute Impact Grant.
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago is a nonprofit organization committed to providing access to exceptional care for every child. It is the only independent, research-driven children’s hospital in Illinois and one of less than 35 nationally. This is where the top doctors go to train, practice pediatric medicine, teach, advocate, research and stay up to date on the latest treatments. Exclusively focused on children, all Lurie Children’s resources are devoted to serving their needs. Research at Lurie Children’s is conducted through Stanley Manne Children’s Research Institute, which is focused on improving child health, transforming pediatric medicine and ensuring healthier futures through the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Lurie Children’s is the pediatric training ground for Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. It is ranked as one of the nation’s top children’s hospitals by U.S. News & World Report.
Journal
Pediatrics Open Science
Thinking of giving a DNA kit for Father’s Day? Psychology researcher warns of ‘unexpected outcomes’
Taylor & Francis Group
DNA testing kits are often gifted for Father’s Day, Christmas and special occasions. The idea of learning more about yourself and unearthing some long-forgotten family history is certainly appealing for many, but a psychologist has warned that these presents can come with profound psychological implications.
At least 30 million people have already tested their DNA through genealogical services, with the market valued at $3.5 billion USD in 2022.
But according to Dr Susan Moore, a retired Australian university researcher in social and developmental psychology, the decision to gift, or take, a DNA test requires more consideration than most people realise.
The risks and rewards
In her new book The Psychology of Genealogy, Dr Moore explores the complex emotions behind DNA testing, drawing on research and real-life cases to reveal the rewards and risks.
“Should you give DNA kits as gifts? It can be fun; it can be risky,” Dr Moore says. “Do first think carefully about how your intended recipient might cope with unexpected outcomes.”
Dr Moore warns that the psychological stakes are higher than many realise. DNA tests can uncover family secrets, reveal misattributed paternity, expose donor conception, and even connect people to hundreds of previously unknown half-siblings – all scenarios that have become increasingly common as databases expand.
Considerations to bear in mind
Moore outlines several psychological considerations that make DNA testing far more complex than a simple curiosity exercise.
“Hobbyist family historians are uncovering joyful and inspiring stories of the past as well as sad and unsettling secrets of their ancestry, Dr Moore explains.
“Records and DNA matches provide boosts, challenges and even threats to one’s sense of self, and this is occurring at unprecedented levels.”
For some, unexpected results can fundamentally challenge their sense of self and family belonging, something psychologists call ‘identity disruption’. The book references cases where individuals discovered their biological father was actually their mother’s fertility doctor, or where ‘late discovery’ of adoption or donor conception occurred through DNA testing.
“At the personal level, these may be findings that cause you great distress, that destabilise your sense of who you are, that initially at least, you would have preferred not to know. Once known however, they cannot be unknown,” Dr Moore explains.
“While some will be able to integrate this new information into their understanding of selfhood, family relationships and belongingness, others will struggle with acceptance, trust and feelings of betrayal.”
Beyond personal revelations, there are also legitimate worries about data security. In 2023 hackers accessed DNA data of 7 million users of one of the most popular DNA testing providers, and the company’s subsequent financial troubles raised questions about what happens to genetic data if companies fold.
Why do these tests appeal to us?
Despite the risks, many of us are drawn to these tests as they appeal to what Dr Moore describes as fundamental human needs. She explains that family history exploration, including DNA testing, fulfils deep psychological drivers.
This includes the search for identity, and influences on our character. Understanding family history strengthens social identity and creates a sense of belonging to something larger than oneself.
It also provides intellectual challenge and a sense of purpose, and Dr Moore suggests curiosity itself is a main driver.
“Curiosity is a great motivator. How exciting it can be to discoverer the identity of an ancestor, solve a family mystery, prove or disprove family ‘legends’ or discover previously unknown living relatives,” she explains.
“Indeed, genealogists regularly report elation and joy as they unearth lost relatives, discover the identity of a ‘missing’ ancestor, or otherwise break down ‘brick walls’ (genealogical puzzles that seem to resist solutions due to missing, inaccurate or hard-to-access records).”
To test or not to test
So, should you gift that DNA kit this Father’s Day? Dr Moore offers nuanced guidance to anyone considering buying a test for themselves or a loved one.
She explains: “Yes, if you want to explore your ancestry further, and you have the time and patience to do some reading and learning – first about how to make the most of your data, and second about how to interact respectfully and ethically when contacting matches.”
But she’s clear about when to reconsider.
She warns: “No, unless you’re prepared for surprises, some of them perhaps unpleasant, or if you’re very worried about privacy breaches.”
The key, Dr Moore suggests, is to have an honest conversation before gifting. Does Dad actually want to know? Is he prepared for unexpected discoveries? Has he considered the privacy implications?
For those who do decide to test, Dr Moore emphasises the importance of approaching results with support systems in place and realistic expectations about what DNA can and cannot reveal.
“DNA gives you some new and interesting clues to your family tree structure, but the hard work of making sense of those clues must still be done,” she explains.
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