Growing up and making your way through your adolescent years can be a challenge. Add a depressed dad to the mix and well, it becomes almost impossible not to run into a few problems here and there. According to a US study published in Pediatrics, kids with depressed fathers are more likely to have emotional or behavioral problems than kids who have a stable home life.

Although many studies have been done on mothers who are battling depression, less attention has been given to families with depressed fathers. We are so used to seeing dads as pillars of strength that we sometimes forget that they too can be vulnerable.

According to Michael Weitzman, the study’s author, studying fathers is especially crucial now what with many of them coming home from the battle or feeling the immense pressure of providing for their families in the current economy. "In the big picture of caring about our children and trying to do whatever is best to help them achieve the highest potential ... clearly fathers are not regularly thought of," he added.

The study used national data on more than 20,000 families with children between ages of 5 and 17 and both parents living at home. Fathers and mothers were interviewed about depression symptoms as well as any behavioral problems their children might be experiencing. Results revealed that 11 percent of children who had depressed dads developed problems while the percentage for children with depressed mothers was eight points higher. If both parents were battling with depression, however, one in four children will develop problems.

While there is yet to be a study on how to reverse the situation, both parents need to work together to provide the best possible life for their children. There is no need to play the blame game as both are responsible for the kind of life they give their kids. Mothers aren’t the only ones who need to watch themselves. Dads are just as influential when it comes to the family dynamics.

(Photo by simmbarb via sxc.hu)