The Health Implications of Fatherhood: A Comprehensive Literature Review

There is growing recognition that paternal involvement matters for child development and family well-being, even while we know comparatively little about how fatherhood affects men's own physical and mental health. This review brings together our current understanding of how becoming and being a father shapes men's health and the current efforts at improving the fatherhood experiences for men, thus indirectly influencing their children and families. We explore emerging work on father support systems, from mobile health interventions to successful community-based programs. The review also considers how policy-both historic and current-has shaped fathers' health and their capacity to be involved parents. Our analysis reveals substantial gaps, particularly around understanding the nuances of paternal support. We conclude by identifying where research efforts should focus next and what practitioners and policymakers need to consider, as attention to the impact of fatherhood on men's health continues to grow.