Spankings more common by depressed dads

The Associated Press

CHICAGO -- Just like new moms, new fathers can become depressed, and a study found a surprising number of sad dads spanked their 1-year-olds.

About 40 percent of depressed fathers in a survey said they'd spanked kids that age, versus just 13 percent of fathers who weren't depressed. Most dads also had had recent contact with their child's doctor -- a missed opportunity to get help, authors of the study said.

The American Academy of Pediatrics and many child development experts warn against spanking children of any age. Other studies have shown that kids who are spanked are at risk of being physically abused and becoming aggressive themselves.

The researchers said spanking is especially troubling in children who are only 1, because they could get injured and "are unlikely to understand the connection between their behavior and subsequent punishment." The study is being released online today in the journal Pediatrics.

The authors analyzed data on 1,746 fathers from a nationally representative survey in 16 large cities in the United States, conducted from 1999 to 2000. Lead author Dr. Neal Davis said that was the most recent comprehensive data on the subject, and he believes they are relevant today. Depression among fathers is strongly tied to unemployment rates, which are much higher now than a decade ago, he said.

The men were questioned about depression symptoms, spanking and interactions with their 1-year-olds, but weren't asked why they spanked or whether they had harmed the child.

Overall, 7 percent of dads had experienced recent major depression.

Some were likely to have had a history of depression, but in others it was probably tied to their children's birth, similar to postpartum depression in women, Davis said. A pediatrician now with Intermountain Healthcare in Murray, Utah, Davis did the research while at the University of Michigan.

Postpartum depression is more common in women. By some estimates as many as 25 percent develop it shortly after childbirth. Severe cases have been linked to suicide and to killing children, including several high-profile drowning cases.

Less is known about depression in new dads and the study raises awareness about an underrecognized problem, said Dr. Craig Garfield, an assistant pediatrics professor at Northwestern University and co-author of a Pediatrics editorial.