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Introduction: Paternal postnatal depression has significant negative consequences for the family and child. Still, only little attention has been paid to potential unique risk factors of depression in fathers and the theoretical grounding of such research is sparse. Method: This study examined prenatal risk factors derived from three theoretical models: the cognitive vulnerability-stress model, the interpersonal model, and the gender role risk model of paternal postnatal depression. The sample consisted of 211 expectant fathers, of whom 5.7% scored above the clinical cut-off on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, and 235 mothers were included as a reference group. Participants filled in questionnaires during pregnancy and four months postpartum. Results: The study results suggest that prenatal depressive score is the strongest risk factor for both paternal and maternal postnatal depressive symptoms. In addition, childhood separation from parents, unemployment, financial strain, and doubts about having the child were unique risk factors for paternal depressive symptoms, while lower marital satisfaction was a unique risk factor for maternal depression. Discussion: These findings highlight that beyond the strong role of prenatal depressive symptoms for both genders, specific risk factors for father depression exist. This may be informative to health care professionals in increasing the reach and prevention of depression in new fathers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Empirically supported couple interventions often transfer from the US to several other parts of the world yet we have little data on their final reach. This study investigated relationship help-seeking in a random population sample of 1,371 individuals living with a partner in Denmark, a European high income - high divorce country. Only a small fraction of respondents had ever sought couple education (3%) or counseling/therapy (7%) with their partner. Among respondents experiencing a severe relationship crisis, individual types of help-seeking were the most prevalent. Both women (38.9%) and men (27.8%) with a recent relationship crisis sought information online, and mostly women (19.4%) also sought individual therapy. Findings can inform strategies for increasing the reach of couples in new cultural contexts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In developed countries more women are giving birth later in life and this trend has been linked with perinatal medical risks as well as with improved psychosocial adaptation. This study examined whether older maternal age was associated with less use of sanctions and with positive child outcome at age 7, 11, and 15. A random population sample of 4741 mothers from the Danish Longitudinal Survey of Children was used. Data were obtained through face-to-face interviews and self-report questionnaires. Older maternal age was associated with less frequent use of verbal and physical sanctions towards children at age 7 and 11. At age 15 this association remained significant for verbal sanctions but not physical sanctions. Older maternal age was associated with fewer behavioral, social and emotional difficulties in children at age 7 and at age 11 but not at age 15. The associations reported were significant independently of all observed demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The primary aim of the current meta-analysis was to investigate the overall effect of a relationship checkup (RC), a couple-oriented assessment, and feedback intervention. Systematic literature searches revealed 12 eligible randomized trials published between 1995 and 2015. Results showed significant overall pre-post effect of an RC on marital functioning (Hedge's g = 0.20) and individual mental health (g = 0.44). The between-group controlled effect size was significant at postassessment (g = 0.23) and up to six-month follow-up (g = 0.23). Characteristics of the RC format, therapist-guided versus self-directed, or the study samples, distressed versus healthy, did not moderate the overall effect of the RC. Thus, our results suggest an RC to improve couples' marital functioning up to six-month follow-up, while the effect on individual mental health and repeated delivery of a RC awaits further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the effectiveness of an evidence-based parent training program in a real-world Scandinavian setting. Parents of 36 young children with or at risk of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) self-referred to participate in the Incredible Years(®) Parent Training Program (IYPT) through a Danish early intervention clinic. Using a benchmarking approach, we compared self-report data with data from a recent efficacy study. Eight out of nine outcome measures showed comparable or higher magnitude of effect from pretest to posttest. Effects were maintained or improved across six months. The methodology of this study exemplifies a rigorous but feasible approach to assessing effectiveness when evidence-based US protocols are transferred into the existing Scandinavian service delivery. Findings suggest that IYPT can be implemented successfully as an easy-access early intervention to families of children with or at risk of ADHD., (© 2014 Scandinavian Psychological Associations and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)