The Surprising Benefits of Having Anxious and Depressed Fathers

New research suggests that children of slightly anxious and depressed fathers may actually benefit from their fathers' mental health issues. A study conducted by Canadian universities found that kids with anxious and depressed dads had better attention spans, higher IQs, and more self-control. The researchers theorize that these fathers' struggles might make them more empathetic and attuned to their children's needs. However, the same positive effects were not observed in children of anxious and depressed mothers, whose mental health issues have been shown to have negative impacts. Further research is needed to understand the relationship between paternal mental health and child development.