The children of fathers with mental health disorders such as depression are more likely to develop anxiety, alcoholism and psychiatric problems, according to new research. Sons are more at risk than daughters, the Oxford University researchers have said, and the role of the father in children's upbringing has been underemphasised with mental health studies focusing too much on the mother.

According to the report, teenagers are more at risk of developing psychological problems such as depression and suicidal tendencies if their fathers suffered depression, particularly in the first few weeks after birth.

The report concludes: "In some children, the patterns of risk associated with paternal disorders are different from those associated with maternal disorders, with boys potentially at increased risk." University of Iowa researchers recently found that disrupting the actions of an acid-sensitive protein in the brain of mice produced anti-depressive effects, which could help those who have adverse reactions to currently available depression treatments.