The mental health of a father-to-be may have a significant impact on the temprament of a toddler, says a new study from researchers at University of Bergen in Norway. For the study, lead researcher Anne Lise Kvalevaag and her team surveyed 31,000 children and their parents in Norway.
On the survey, fathers were asked about their mental health during the pregnancy and mothers provided information about their children's social and behavioral patterns up to three years. They found that children born to fathers with highest levels of stress and anxiety also had the highest levels of emotional trouble.
"The results of this study point to the fact that the father's mental health represents a risk factor for child development, whereas the traditional view has been that this risk in large is represented by the mother," said Kvalevaag. "The father's mental health should therefore be addressed both in research and clinical practice."
Their data appears January 7 in Pediatrics.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
Health News
June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.