The association between paternal PTSD and child mental health: a systematic literature review

Liquori L Etheridge; Sungseek Moon; Aynsley H Scheffert; Christina Chan-Park; Danny Clark

doi:10.1186/s13034-026-01073-w

Back

The association between paternal PTSD and child mental health: a systematic literature review

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

The association between paternal PTSD and child mental health: a systematic literature review

Liquori L Etheridge, Sungseek Moon, Aynsley H Scheffert, Christina Chan-Park and Danny Clark

Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health

05/17/2026

DOI: 10.1186/s13034-026-01073-w

PMID: 42144609

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-026-01073-wView

Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Fathers play a crucial role in their children's psychosocial development, positively influencing emotional, cognitive, and social competencies. Paternal Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can disrupt this dynamic, potentially compromising the psychological well-being and developmental outcomes of their offspring. This systematic review aims to investigate the relationship between paternal PTSD and the prevalence of psychopathology in children and adolescents, providing a comprehensive understanding of how trauma experienced by fathers may influence their children's mental health. A systematic search of PsycINFO, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and PILOTS yielded only six studies that met the inclusion criteria. Findings indicate a significant association between paternal PTSD and increased risk of depression, anxiety, and behavioral disorders in children and adolescents. Furthermore, the results suggest that maternal mental health status may moderate the relationship between paternal PTSD and offspring mental health outcomes. Future research should explore the mechanisms of trauma transmission from fathers to children, the broader impact of paternal PTSD on family dynamics, and the specific role of maternal mental health in this context.

PTSD

Adolescent

Hyper-activity attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

Paternal

Depression

Anxiety

Behavior disorders

Children

Father

Teen

Details

Title: Subtitle: The association between paternal PTSD and child mental health: a systematic literature review
Creators: Liquori L Etheridge - Baylor University
Sungseek Moon - Baylor University
Aynsley H Scheffert - University of Iowa
Christina Chan-Park - Baylor University
Danny Clark - Baylor University
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Child and adolescent psychiatry and mental health
DOI: 10.1186/s13034-026-01073-w
PMID: 42144609
NLM abbreviation: Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health
ISSN: 1753-2000
eISSN: 1753-2000
Publisher: Springer Nature
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 05/17/2026
Academic Unit: Psychiatry; School of Social Work; Center for Social Science Innovation
Record Identifier: 9985164722802771

Metrics

1 Record Views