Minority Fathers’ Experiences of Partner’s Perinatal Mental Health

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  The Forgotten Fathers: An Exploratory Qualitative Study on the Experiences of UK Minoritised First-time Fathers with Partners with Perinatal Depression and Anxiety

• IRAS ID

  355894

• Contact name

  Vaheshta Sethna

• Contact email

  vaheshta.sethna@kcl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  King’s College London

• Duration of Study in the UK

  1 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Research Question:
  What are the experiences of first-time fathers in the UK from Black, Asian, and other ethnically minoritised backgrounds whose partners have experienced perinatal depression and anxiety?

  Relevance and Importance:
  Becoming a parent can be a major life change. When a partner is struggling with their mental health, such as low mood, anxiety, or panic during pregnancy or after birth (known as perinatal depression and anxiety), it can also affect the father’s wellbeing and adjustment. While much research focuses on mothers and babies, there is very little that looks at how fathers—especially from diverse backgrounds—are affected and their support needs. This study aims to fill that gap and help improve how services support families.

  Area Being Studied:
  Mental health during the perinatal period, specifically how it impacts fathers when their partners experience perinatal depression and anxiety.

  Funding:
  The study is funded by King’s College London as part of a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.

  Treatment or Intervention Being Studied:
  This is a non-treatment study. No drug, device, or medical procedure is being tested. The study involves interviews only.

  Eligibility:
  Fathers who are:
  - Becoming a father for the first time
  - From a Black, Asian, or other ethnically minoritised background
  - Living in the UK
  - Have a partner who has experienced perinatal depression or anxiety during pregnancy or up to 12 months after birth

  Study Sites:
  Participants will be recruited through community and inpatient perinatal mental health services within South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust.

  Study Duration and What Participants Will Do:
  Each father will take part in a one-time interview (60–90 minutes) and complete a basic information questionnaire, either in person or online. The study will run over approximately 12 months.

• REC name

  London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  25/LO/0708

• Date of REC Opinion

  11 Nov 2025

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion