We are pleased to announce that a paper by our graduate student, Mayumi Takaku, entitled

“Loneliness among Fathers of Infants: Actual Conditions and Its Relationship with Social Support”

has been published in the international journal Midwifery.

This study explored the actual conditions of loneliness among fathers of infants and its relationship with social support. Based on a survey of 384 fathers of infants, the study found that 44.9% of the participants experienced loneliness. Loneliness was associated with fathers’ age, the infant’s age, fathers’ mental health status, and the quality of the marital relationship. In addition, having someone to confide in and receiving support from healthcare professionals were associated with lower levels of loneliness.

This study provides useful perspectives for considering how to support fathers, as well as how to build support systems that promote the health and well-being of the whole family.

Article information

Mayumi Takaku, Aya Saitoh,

Loneliness among Fathers of Infants: Actual Conditions and Its Relationship with Social Support,

Midwifery, 2026, 104809.

DOI: 10.1016/j.midw.2026.104809