Experts have established before that kids are more prone to mental problems when their mother experienced depression. But how about problems on the side of the dad?
A new study which was able to look into a good representation of father and kids concludes that there is a 70% chance that kids may develop behavioral or emotional problem if the dad suffered from depression. This is a lower risk compared to having depressed mothers but it is still of significant concern.
The scenario is worse if both parents battles depression. Kids with mentally healthy parents only has 6% chances of having behavioral or emotional problems like feeling nervous, feeling sad, and clashing with members of the family and friends. The risk goes up to 11% if the dad is depressed, 19% when mother fights depression and about 25% when mom and dad are experiencing depression.
The study though does not clearly prove that mental problems with the parents are directly causing the mental problems in children. An earlier study has correlated the depression of the mother to be more influential to the mental development of the kid.
The proponents say that it is a basic premise that mental problems of the parents will affect the mental health of the children. They further explain that the genes play a good role in having depression and other mental problems passed on from parents to kids.
They also point out how kids look up to their parents as models so if one or both of the parents are depressed, then the children will be shaped by this.
The study involved 22,000 families still being managed by two parents. The families were interviewed about the mental health of each member.
This suggests that mental health practitioners should look at a bigger picture when one member of a family struggles with depression.
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