Effects of Emotional Violence Experienced by Fathers From Their Partners in the Postpartum Period on Depression Level and Father-Infant Attachment.

This study was conducted to examine the effects of emotional violence experienced by fathers from their partners in the postpartum period on fathers' depression level and father-infant attachment. The data of this descriptive and correlational study were collected from 350 fathers of infants aged 3-12 months in the postpartum period. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Paternal-Infant Attachment Questionnaire (PIAQ). The independent-sample t-test, the chi-square test, Fisher's Exact Test, the Fisher Freeman Halton test and Linear Regression were used for the data analyzes. The rate of emotional violence experienced by the fathers was 43%. Fathers who were exposed to emotional violence by their spouses had higher EPDS total scores (p = 0.001), while their PIAQ total scores (p = 0.001) were statistically significantly lower (p < 0.01). A weak and statistically significant correlation was found between EPDS total scores and PIAQ total scores (r = -0.357, p = 0.001). According to linear regression analysis, the effect of emotional violence on fathers' depression level (p < 0.001) and father-infant attachment level (p < 0.001) was statistically significant. Health professionals should identify the perpetrators and victims of violence and refer them to relevant rehabilitative resources for the welfare of families and newborns.