Step-fathers with multiple family roles suffer mental stress

The study led by Brigham Young University (BYU found that depression risk in mothers and fathers increases when they carry out large number of parenting roles.

The scholars of BYU explained that parents of blended families play three roles in a row are 57 percent more likely to be depressed than those with just a single parenting role, also parents undergo the feeling guilt when they spend more time with their new children than their older children or when a new baby comes along.

Kevin Shafer, a professor of social work at BYU said that there was a stigma that mothers usually get stressed due to their parenting responsibilities, but being a step-father was an actual tough job as he has to be a good parent, a friend, and something like a cool uncle and doing all these roles simultaneously actually brings mental stress to step-daddies.

The study mentioned that men are less likely to seek professional counseling when they need it.

Shafer added that stress actually comes from a good place, as they want to be a good parent, they want to be a good stepparent, and they want to be a good new parent, and with this mental health professionals should recognize that depression can manifest in a variety of ways.

The study is published in the journal Social Work.