Hindering resilience in the transition to parenthood: a thematic analysis of parents’ perspectives

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: Investigate parents’ recollections of resilience hindering experiences in the first year of parenthood. Background: The transition to parenthood is a significant period of change in the lifespan. Understanding the factors which undermine resilience during this process will help illuminate resilience theory and provision of perinatal support. Methods: We conducted a thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 10 parents (including four fathers) and examined factors hindering resilience as a global theme within a broader thematic network. Results: We identified two organising themes; context which related to external experiences and relationships and appraisals which related to parents’ internal attributions and experiences. We refined these organising themes into 24 specific resilience hindering factors including ambivalence about parenthood, fear of judgement, compromised self-care and relationship change. We also collated parents’ suggested changes to structural supports such as providing a comprehensive overview of services available to new parents, having credible resources online, engaging fathers directly in perinatal care and a greater focus on postnatal support such as prioritising continuity of care and making longer hospital stays available. Conclusion: Our work illuminates parents’ own thoughts about factors hindering resilience in the transition to parenthood and provides direct recommendations from consumers about improvements to provision of support throughout this critical period.