The fatherhood study
Paternal mental health and wellbeing during pregnancy and the first year after birth

Becoming a father is one of life’s biggest transitions – exciting, meaningful, and at times overwhelming. While much attention has been paid to the maternal experience during pregnancy and after birth, fathers are far less often part of the conversation. We know from a growing body of research that fathers too can struggle with depression, anxiety, and stress during this period, and that this can affect not only their wellbeing, but also their relationship and the development of their child. Yet in the Netherlands, this remains a largely understudied area. 

In the Fatherhood Study, we are investigating the experience of Dutch fathers during their partner’s pregnancy and in the first year after birth. To do this, we ask fathers to complete an online survey (20-30 mins) including validated questionnaires covering their mental health as well as broader aspects of their lives such as social support, the bond with their baby, quality of life, and lifestyle factors like sleep, diet, and physical activity.

We hope that this study will help build a clearer picture of what fathers go through in the perinatal period, and ultimately contribute to better support and care for all new parents.

Recruitment started in October 2025 and is still ongoing — any Dutch father aged 18 or older whose partner is currently pregnant or whose child is under twelve months old is welcome to take part.

Join the survey: https://tinyurl.com/fatherhoodstudie

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The following people from our lab are working in this study: Beyza Ustun-Elayan, Evie Brinkman, Carolina de Weerth