Step-Fathers More Prone to Mental Stress and Depression

Step-fathers who perform multiple family roles are more prone to mental stress which sometimes leads to depression, according to a study led by Brigham Young University (BYU). The study also mentioned that men are less likely to seek professional counseling when they need it.

Researchers of BYU explained that parents of blended families who play three roles in a row are 57 percent more likely to be depressed than those with just a single parenting role. Also, parents undergo the feeling guilt when they spend more time with their new children than their older children or when a new baby comes along.

Professor Kevin Shafer said, "There was a stigma that mothers usually get stressed due to their parenting responsibilities, but being a step-father was an actual tough job as he has to be a good parent, a friend, and something like a cool uncle and doing all these roles simultaneously actually brings mental stress to step-daddies. Stress actually comes from a good place, as they want to be a good parent, they want to be a good stepparent, and they want to be a good new parent, and with this mental health professionals should recognize that depression can manifest in a variety of ways."

The study appears in the journal Social Work.

Source: Medindia