First-time fathers' experiences of professional support from child health nurses.

Abstract

Nowadays, in Sweden, fathers are expected to be active in their father role and to share caring responsibilities for their children equally with mothers. This active role of a father in a family can be challenging, especially for the first-time fathers. Child health nurses' support is an important factor for fathers to become confident caregivers. The Father Perceived Professional Support scale (FaPPS scale) can be used in nursing practice for better understanding father's needs of professional support. The aim of this study was to describe first-time fathers' experiences of the professional support received from child health nurses and to validate the instrument: 'FaPPS scale'. A qualitative design, with inductive and deductive approaches, was used in this study. Twelve first-time fathers participated in the semi-structured interviews, thereafter grading the FaPPS scale items and commenting on them. The fathers experienced nurses' support positively when nurses provided practical information and stimulated them to be involved in care of their children. In contrast, the support was experienced negatively because of nurses' lack of commitment, availability and adaptation to the fathers' individual needs. The fathers also felt inequality between the support received by fathers and by mothers. Although some fathers perceived it as negative, others considered it fair, believing that mothers needed more support. In addition, fathers expect nurses to actively offer support to them and supervise them in childcare. The fathers also needed meeting other parents, for example in parental groups. This study also indicates that FaPPS scale can be used both in research and clinical practice, though still needing further development.