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Distress in fathers of babies with infant colic
Author(s) -
Kruijff Ineke,
Veldhuis Moniek S.,
Tromp Ellen,
Vlieger Arine M.,
Benninga Marc.A.,
Lambregtsevan den Berg Mijke P.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.15873
Subject(s) - medicine , anxiety , distress , depression (economics) , feeling , infantile colic , confounding , pediatrics , crying , psychiatry , clinical psychology , psychology , social psychology , economics , macroeconomics
Abstract Aim The aim of this case‐control study was to compare parental stress, depression, anxiety and bonding problems between fathers and mothers of babies with infant colic and parents of control infants. Methods Parents of 34 infants with infant colic and 67 control dyads were included. Parental feelings were assessed using validated questionnaires. Results Fathers as well as mothers of infants with infant colic showed significantly higher mean scores compared with controls on stress (20.9 ± 5.8 and 25.5 ± 7.2 vs 16.4 ± 6.1 and 14.7 ± 7.0), depression (5.6 ± 4.0 and 9.1 ± 4.8 vs 2.9 ± 2.9 and 4.0 ± 3.1), anxiety (41.9 ± 9.2 and 46.0 ± 10.2 vs 32.4 ± 8.4 and 32.2 ± 9.3) and bonding problems (16.1 ± 8.1 and 13.7 ± 5.9 vs 8.7 ± 6.3 and 5.0 ± 4.4). In fathers, after adjustments for infant and parental confounders and maternal negative feelings, depression and anxiety were significantly increased in the infant colic group (difference of 2.7 ( p = 0.017) and 8.6 ( p = 0.002)). Conclusion In fathers of infants with infant colic, the experienced distress is strongly associated with maternal distress, except for depression and anxiety. Paediatricians should be aware of these paternal feelings as parental reassurance and support is one of the cornerstones in the treatment of infants with colic.