This study was conducted to investigate the somatic symptoms stress and social support of expectant fathers, and to explore the potential predictors related to the somatic symptoms. Purposive sampling was used to recruit subjects of two groups: (1) expectant father group: 150 expectant fathers from obstetrical clinics of four hospitals. (2) control group: 150 matched males. Three instruments were used to collect data: The Somatic Symptom Checklist, the Perceived Stress Scale and the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List. Two-sample t-test, analysis of variance and multiple regression were utilized to analyze data. The results found that: (1) The expectant fathers suffered more somatic symptoms than control group, and sixty-eight percent of subjects were identified as having couvade syndrome. (2) Expectant fathers showed a significantly higher score on perceived stress than did the controls. (3) The best subsets to predict the criterion variable of couvade syndrome included perceived stress and the attendance of a prenatal class. Implications for nursing practice: (1) Increase nurses knowledge of expectant fathers’ experiences and enhance nurses’ sensitivity to their somatic symptoms. (2) Encourage expectant fathers to participate in a prenatal class to promote their quality of life.