Postpartum Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Nonbirthing Parents in Canada: A Cross-Sectional Study

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms in nonbirthing parents, overall and by sex, gender, and sexual orientation. BACKGROUND: The postpartum period is a vulnerable time for parents. Although the focus of most research is on the birthing parent, evidence of postpartum mental health challenges for nonbirthing parents is lacking. METHODS: An online cross-sectional study was conducted with nonbirthing parents from across Canada who had an infant 9 and >10 on the EPDS and GAD, respectively, were considered positive for postpartum depression and anxiety symptoms. T-tests were used to determine differences based on sex, gender, and sexual orientation. RESULTS: A total of 133 nonbirthing parents participated (54.9% first-time parents, 90.2% fathers). Overall, 56.4% of nonbirthing parents had postpartum depression, 23.3% had postpartum anxiety, and 21.8% had comorbid postpartum anxiety and depression. There were no differences based on sex or gender; however, sexual minority parents had a significantly higher prevalence of both postpartum depression (73.3%) and anxiety symptoms (46.7%) than heterosexual parents (52.5% and 16.8%), respectively. DISCUSSION: The postpartum mental health of nonbirthing parents is of critical concern with one in two experiencing symptoms of depression and one in 4 experiencing symptoms of anxiety. IMPLICATION FOR PRACTICE AND RESEARCH: More work is needed to better support nonbirthing parents during their first year postpartum.