BOSTON, April 24, 2026 – Preliminary findings from a national birth cohort suggest strong associations between exposure to fathers’ depression in pre-adolescence and poor educational outcomes among males, but not females. The findings suggest a strong need to identify and support fathers with depressive symptoms and their sons to promote positive educational attainment. The research will be presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies (PAS) 2026 Meeting , taking place April 24-27 in Boston.
Paternal depression has been linked with adverse child outcomes, including problematic behavior in school. There is some evidence that the associations differ by child sex. However, little is known about the linkages between fathers’ depression in pre-adolescence and educational outcomes in adolescence, and whether those associations differ by child sex.
“These preliminary findings point to an opportunity for schools and pediatricians to work together to support fathers and their children—especially for sons who appear to be particularly affected when fathers are experiencing depression,” said Kristine Schmitz, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and lead author of the study. “Early identification and family-centered support can help promote school success and long-term well-being.”
Researchers conducted a secondary analysis of an urban U.S. birth cohort, the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Fathers were screened for depression when the child was 9 years old using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form (CIDI-SF), and educational outcomes were reported by the child at age 22.
Overall, paternal depression was not associated with being suspended or dropping out of high school (AOR 1.45, CI 1.00-2.07 and 1.37, CI 0.83-2.27, respectively). However, when interacting paternal depression with child sex, the odds of suspension if the father was depressed relative to the father not being depressed were statistically significant and over twice as high for males as for females (AOR 2.48, CI 1.14-5.37), and the corresponding odds of dropping out of high school were statistically significant and over five times as high for males as for females (AOR 5.16, CI 1.77-15.05).
Additional information is included in the research abstract below. The PAS Meeting connects thousands of leading pediatric researchers, clinicians and educators worldwide. View the full schedule in the PAS 2026 program guide . For more information about the PAS Meeting, please visit www.pas-meeting.org .
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Abstract: Associations between paternal depression in pre-adolescence and academic outcomes in adolescence
Presenting Author
Kristine Schmitz, MD, Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Rutgers, Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Organizations
Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Princeton University
Rider University
National Bureau of Economic Research
Topic
Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics: ADHD/Learning Problems/Schools
Background
Objective
To investigate associations between a father’s depression when their child is 9 years old and the child’s educational outcomes, overall and by the child’s sex.
Design/Methods
We conducted a secondary analysis of an urban U.S. birth cohort, the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study. Fathers were screened for depression when the child was 9 years old using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview Short Form (CIDI-SF), and educational outcomes were reported by the child at age 22. We focused on two educational outcomes: (1) any out-of-school suspensions during high school and (2) dropping out of high school.
We estimated adjusted logistic regression models of associations between paternal depression and educational outcomes, with and without interactions by child sex. The models included child, father, and family characteristics, as well as maternal depression when the child was 9 years old (from CIDI-SF).
Results
We analyzed 1,763 father/child dads. About half of fathers were non-Hispanic Black (47%) or Hispanic (24%), 47% had a high school education or lower, their mean age was 38 years, and 44% were married to the child’s mother when the child was age 9. Nine percent of fathers had depression when their child was age 9.
Overall, paternal depression was not associated with being suspended or dropping out of high school (AOR 1.45, CI 1.00-2.07 and 1.37, CI 0.83-2.27, respectively). However, when interacting paternal depression with child sex, the odds of suspension if the father was depressed relative to the father not being depressed were statistically significant and over twice as high for males as for females (AOR 2.48, CI 1.14-5.37), and the corresponding odds of dropping out of high school were statistically significant and over 5 times as high for males as for females (AOR 5.16, CI 1.77-15.05).
Conclusion(s)
These preliminary findings from a national birth cohort suggest strong associations between exposure to fathers’ depression in pre-adolescence and poor educational outcomes among males, but not females. The findings suggest a strong need to identify and support fathers with depressive symptoms and their sons to promote positive educational attainment.
Co-Authors
Myriam Casseus, PhD, MPH, MA, Instructor, Department of Pediatrics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Kelly Noonan, PhD, Professor, Princeton University
Hope Corman, PhD, Professor Emerita & Research Associate, Rider University & National Bureau of Economic Research
Manuel E. Jimenez, MD, Associate Professor, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Nancy E. Reichman, PhD, Professor, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Tables and Images
Logistic Regression Estimates of Associations between Paternal Depression when Child was Age 9 and High School Educational Outcomes, Overall and with Interaction by Child Sex
Notes: Estimates are adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. All models control for father’s age, education, and race/ethnicity, whether the child was low birth weight, parents’ marital/cohabitation status, family poverty level, and maternal depression. Marital/cohabitation status, poverty, and maternal depression were measured when the child was 9 years old. *** p<0.1, ** p<0.05, * p<0.10