OHIO — A study conducted by researchers from Northwestern University and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago found a link between paid paternity leave and reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in new fathers. The researchers analyzed data from the 2022-2023 Ohio Fatherhood Survey.

The study included 4,290 new fathers. Among these participants, 6.6% reported symptoms of depression, and 11% reported symptoms of anxiety. Fathers who took unpaid leave showed a 58% higher likelihood of reporting anxiety symptoms when compared to those who took paid leave.

Financial barriers were cited by 75% of fathers reporting depressive symptoms and 71% of fathers reporting anxiety symptoms as the main reason for not taking leave. Fathers who stated a desire to take leave but did not were also more prone to experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Among the survey participants, 54% of fathers took paid leave, 22% took unpaid leave, 9% took a combination of both, and 15% did not take any leave.

Dr. Craig Garfield, a professor of pediatrics and medical social science, said mental health and paternity leave are linked. He added that the findings indicate paternal leave is a public health issue that can affect families and children. Garfield said, "As the U.S. continues to discuss how best to support families from day one, paid paternity leave is one valuable tool to use. Our results show that paid leave can help new dads as they transition into fatherhood, giving them time and resources to get off on the right foot."

The study is scheduled for publication on June 18 in the American Journal of Public Health. Clarissa Simon is a co-author of the study, which was conducted in partnership with the Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center. A separate study published in 2025 reported that 64% of fathers took less than two weeks of leave after their child's birth, while 36% took more than two weeks. Garfield developed the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System for Dads survey, which was first implemented in Georgia in 2018 and will collect data in 11 states.

No independent assessment was available for this report.