Associations between self-reported ADHD symptoms and depression and anxiety in mothers and fathers during the postpartum period: A Canadian nationwide longitudinal study

Background: Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may be a risk factor for intra- and inter-parental affective disorders in the perinatal period, placing families at risk for negative outcomes. Methods: A large prospective cohort of Canadian women and their male partners (N = 2544 couples) were recruited in the postpartum period. Repeated measures data were collected at baseline and six timepoints over 24-months postpartum. Self-reported ADHD symptoms were measured at baseline, and depression/anxiety were measured at all timepoints. Generalized estimating equations examined associations between possible ADHD and ADHD symptoms with new depression, anxiety, and comorbidity. Cross-parental associations were explored. Results: Compared to mothers without, those with possible ADHD had higher odds of depression (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.70, 95 % CI [1.13-2.56]), anxiety (aOR = 1.74 [1.30-2.34]), and comorbidity (aOR = 1.66, [1.06-2.60]), at 3-24 months postpartum. Maternal ADHD symptoms were associated with anxiety in fathers (aOR = 1.03 [1.01-1.06] for 1-unit increase in symptoms) at 3-24-months. When compared to fathers without, those with possible ADHD had higher odds of depression (aOR = 2.33 [1.78-3.05]), anxiety (aOR = 2.02, [1.60-2.55]), and comorbidity (aOR = 2.05, [1.51-2.79]), as well as paternal ADHD symptoms associated with depression (aOR = 1.05, [1.01-1.08] for 1-unit increase in symptoms) and comorbidity (aOR = 1.04 [1.00-1.08] for 1-unit increase in symptoms) in mothers at 3-24-months. Limitations: Self-reported measures. Conclusions: Parental ADHD in the postpartum period is associated with depression and anxiety among mothers and fathers. Paternal ADHD was a risk for maternal mental health problems in the early postpartum period, and maternal ADHD was a risk for paternal mental health problems in the late postpartum period.