Therapeutic Termination of Pregnancy and Paternal Mental Outcomes

Abstract

Therapeutic termination of pregnancy (TToP) is performed for maternal health risks or severe fetal malformations. Research focuses on women's psychopathological outcomes after TToP, noting that 10-22% of women experience psychiatric disorders, especially depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, little is known about paternal mental outcomes. This study analyzed biological fathers' mental health at a 1-year follow-up after TToP. Results indicate biological fathers show no alarming psychiatric outcomes one-year post-TToP, with no signs of PTSD. Resilience might be a protective factor, but further research is needed. Furthermore, the high percentage of paternal emotional neglect during childhood should interfere with the conclusions. Additional analysis is mandatory and it is essential to highlight that 30% of the original male sample refused to complete the questionnaires due to emotional distress in recalling. Still, their data are missing, and it is not possible to make inferences from them. However, mental health support should be offered on a regular basis to both men and women.