Parent and Peer Attachments in Adolescence and Paternal Postpartum Mental Health: Findings From the ATP Generation 3 Study

Background: When adolescent boys experience close, secure relationships with their parents and peers, the implications are potentially far reaching, including lower levels of mental health problems in adolescence young adulthood. Here we use rare prospective intergenerational data to extend our understanding impact attachments on subsequent postpartum early fatherhood. Methods: At age 17–18 years, used an abbreviated Inventory Parent Peer Attachment assess trust, communication, alienation reported by 270 male participants mothers, fathers, peers. More than a decade later, assessed adult males, now at 12 months ( N = 409 infant offspring) for symptoms depression, anxiety, stress. Logistic regression was examine extent which attachment dimensions predicted paternal health, adjusting potential confounding, assessment interactions between parent peer attachments. Results: Trust mothers good communication fathers during adolescence, were associated 5 7 percentage point reductions Weak evidence parent-peer suggested either or may compensate insecure other. Conclusions: Our results suggest that fostering trust have peers substantial effects rates problems. The protective benefits be preventative cycles risk