Experiences Of Fathers Research Articles

Profiles of the parenting experience in families of autistic children.

Research shows that parents of autistic children, on average, are stressed; however, there is likely an array of factors that characterize the parenting experience in the context of autism other than stress. Understanding the diversity in the parenting experiences of both mothers and fathers of autistic children is important in the development of family-based intervention. A total of 188 co-habiting couples with an autistic child described their parenting experiences using a series of questionnaires examining their feelings of stress, parenting competence, and parenting attitudes and behaviors. We then sorted responses into profiles-three for mothers and four for fathers. We found that children of parents who reported the least amount of stress, highest feeling of competence, and use of responsive and directive parenting strategies (the Adaptive profile) had children with the least severe behavioral problems and autism symptoms. It was not necessary for both parents to be in the Adaptive category for child emotional and behavioral problems to less severe. We found that children did just as well when one parent was Adaptive compared with when both parents fell into this category.

Psychological Challenges of Distant Parenting on Mothers: Scoping Review

The involvement of parents in the lives of children is of paramount importance. Parents’ responsibility of ensuring the wellbeing of children should be taken into cognisance. Of late, some parents find themselves parenting from a distance as they leave in pursuit of employment. As a result, these parents experienced different challenges. The problem is that most researchers tend to focus on challenges experienced by children and leave out those experienced by parents. Hence, this paper aimed at synthesizing existing literature on the psychological challenges of distant parenting on mothers. In doing so, the researchers used a scoping review. The documents, which were used in the study, were purposively sampled from ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. From the literature, the researchers found that parents experienced stress and guilt as a result of leaving their children behind. Some of the parents experienced loss of connection with their children due to the distance and were stigmatized in the community/societies. It can be concluded that long-distance parenting remains high with severe implications for the lives of parents. The researchers recommend a phenomenological study on the lived experiences of fathers providing care to their distant children.

A Qualitative Study on the Experiences of Fathers Involved in Vaginal Delivery: Real-Life Experiences

Purpose: The birth of a baby is one of the most meaningful moments partners can experience throughout their lives. This study was conducted to determine the emotions, thoughts, and experiences of fathers involved in vaginal delivery. 
 Methods: This study was a qualitative research using phenomenological approach and theoretical thematic analysis approach was used in data analysis. The 22 couples participated in the study. The data were separately obtained from fathers involved in the delivery and their partners using the face to face in-depth interview method within four hours after delivery. 
 Results: The data were categorized into five themes: emotions, thoughts, and experiences of fathers involved in delivery; purpose of involvement; positive and negative feelings, roles, and responsibilities of fathers; expectations from health professionals; and meeting the baby for the first time. The fathers who were confused when they first entered the delivery room experienced ambivalent feelings, especially during the last phases of the active period and the expulsion phase. 
 Conclusion: Fathers should be involved in the childbirth process so that the parents can experience a favourable childbirth experience, the relationship between partners strengthens, the family life is affected positively, and the newborns are born into an environment in which they feel safe.

International Perspectives on the Role of Indigenous Fathers in Caring for Their Infants: A Scoping Study

Introduction
 Effective early childhood development interventions require a thorough understanding parental roles in supporting their infants’ health. Yet, the role of Indigenous fathers is not well illustrated within the literature. This scoping study synthesizes the roles that Indigenous fathers have in promoting the health and development of their infants, using an international perspective. Findings support future research to develop effective early childhood parenting interventions that address the unique needs of Indigenous fathers.
 Methods
 Scoping methodology was undertaken with inclusion criteria stipulating infants less than two years of age, and describing the role of Indigenous fathers (or father figures) in meeting the health and/or developmental needs of their infants. Descriptive and pattern coding were used during data extraction and synthesis. Collaboration with Indigenous community partners, including First Nations fathers, promoted ethical research conduct and findings framed within Indigenous ways of knowing.
 Results
 Findings highlight a journey to becoming a father, beginning with assuming a new identity as a father, establishing their fathering role, and supporting one another throughout the journey. This process has significant implications for a child’s development and wellbeing and related health policy.
 Conclusions
 This review synthesizes the experiences of Indigenous fathers across the globe, and while the journey is not fully understood, these initial findings are helpful to support future research and health policy. It is in the best interests of children if men are proactively supported in their transition to fatherhood as early as possible to promote a positive impact on their children’s development and future wellbeing.

Making moves: involved fathers experiences of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside family walking program

ABSTRACT The relationship between physical activity and fatherhood in communities in which people experience marginalisation is not well understood in qualitative research. This is particularly the case in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver, Canada, where there are few services to meet the unique needs of fathers. To address these gaps, we developed Make a Move (MaM): A six-week family walking group pilot program for mothers, fathers, and their children who were living or accessing services in DTES. Informed by a community-based participatory research approach and intersectional poststructuralism, we conducted semi-structured interviews with nine fathers pre- and post-program to understand how their lived experiences as involved fathers in DTES shaped their participation in MAM. Our analysis revealed the ways that the men challenged dominant discourses related to masculinity, physical activity, and fathering, especially within the context of occupying marginalised and subordinate masculinities.

The Impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic and Lockdown Policies on Young Fathers: Comparative Insights from the UK and Sweden

This article explores the impacts of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown policies on young fathers and their families. We present analyses from a larger programme of qualitative longitudinal research examining young fatherhood in the UK and Sweden to develop a unique international comparative and empirical contribution. The views and experiences of young fathers are examined in the context of two ostensibly different policy approaches during the pandemic. Organised thematically to enable comparison, our findings demonstrate myriad impacts, illustrating heightened precarity in young fathers’ transitions into and through fatherhood linked to restrictions on their engagement and changes to their education and employment trajectories and relational contexts, especially in the UK. We observe how differences in policy approaches before and during the first wave of the pandemic shaped the experiences of young fathers in the respective countries.

Qualitative study on the experience of fathers involved in kangaroo care of premature infants

To explore the experience of fathers involved in kangaroo care of premature infants. Semi-structured interview method was used to conduct face-to-face or telephone interviews with 12 fathers involved in kangaroo care of premature infants. The Colaizzi phenomenological study method was used to analyze the data. The experience of fathers involved in kangaroo care of premature infants included creating the feeling of being a father, improving the correlation between the father and the child, enhancing the confidence in parenting, reducing stress, gaining happiness, internalizing care, and encountering some difficulties and confusion. The father has advantages in kangaroo care for premature infants. Thus, further research should be strengthened to promote kangaroo father care for premature infants.

Emotional and Financial Challenges of Raising Children with Autism: The Experience of Fathers in Malaysia

This study explored the emotional and financial challenges faced by fathers in Malaysia when raising and managing children with autism. This qualitative study adopted a phenomenological research design and involved a total of seven fathers in Kedah, Malaysia. The sampling method used in this study was purposive sampling. This study used the interview method entirely as the data collection approach. Meanwhile, semi-structured interviews were conducted to obtain data from participants. The results showed that the fathers of children with autism faced numerous emotional and financial challenges in handling children with special needs. The findings provide more direction and insights for future research to study and explore various aspects of parenting children or individuals with autism. The outcomes also make it necessary for the relevant authorities to enhance the facilities and provision for better management of these children.

Fathers' perceptions of the NICU experience

AimTo describe the experiences of NICU fathers who previously had a premature infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) after the infant had been discharged. MethodsDuring data analysis of a study on the recollection of NICU fathers' needs who previously had a premature infant in the NICU, the researchers discovered fathers could vividly recall their experiences, even years later. Convenient sampling was used to recruit (N = 28) fathers from three parent support organizations and data was collected by semi-structured interviews via Zoom from January 2020 to June 2020. Interview recordings were transcribed by a transcription company, and then verified, coded, and analyzed using NVivo11 software. ResultsThree themes emerged about their experience: vividly recalling experiences, worries about their significant other, and stressed about work/life balance. ConclusionsNICU fathers can vividly recall their experiences years after infant is discharged. They seek support for coping with this new and stressful experience. Further research is needed to explore how support groups can benefit NICU fathers and how the use of support groups can affect the father's long-term mental health.

Latinx fathers of transgender and gender diverse people: Journey toward acceptance and role of culture

AbstractObjectiveThis article reports on a qualitative study, phenomenological approach, with a sample of Latinx fathers of transgender and gender‐diverse people.BackgroundResearch shows that acceptance by parental figures is crucial for the development and well‐being of transgender and gender diverse people. However, little research has focused on the experiences of fathers. Specific to Latinx fathers, cultural values, beliefs, and traditions might be instrumental in their journey toward accepting their transgender and gender diverse child.MethodsA descriptive, phenomenological approach was used in this study with Latinx fathers (N = 8). In‐depth, semistructured interviews were completed to explore the lived experiences of the fathers.ResultsQualitative analysis yielded seven main themes: (a) fear of safety and desire to protect child; (b) difficulties adjusting to child's identity; (c) seeking out information and support from other Latinx families; (d) understanding, respect, and empathy; (e) increased sense of involvement and responsibility on LGBTQ+ issues; (f) positive transformation at multiple levels; and (g) influence of Latinx cultural values and beliefs.ImplicationsFindings provide important clinical implications for practitioners, such as creating room for Latinx fathers to process and explore how different Latinx cultural values (e.g., familismo, machismo, caballerismo, religion and spirituality) might facilitate or hinder acceptance of their transgender and gender diverse child.

More dedicated, more loyal: young men redefining fathering roles and expectations

ABSTRACT A growing body of research in South Africa has focused on fathers but few have included men from various racial backgrounds. The aim of this study is to capture the experiences of young fathers from a range of racial backgrounds that are residing in the urban areas of Durban. This study draws on qualitative data collected from interviews conducted with 20 young men. The interviews suggest that the experience of becoming a father was not easy; however, none of the young men denied paternity. Instead, they accepted responsibility and quickly adapted to their role. The fathers made a concerted effort to extend their role beyond that of a breadwinner by providing care for their children and maintaining a presence in their lives. Cultural barriers limit fathers from engaging with their children; however, maternal grandmothers ensured that young men were able to maintain family relations with their children. Thus, young men are redefining the narrative of fatherhood by making an effort to be involved in the lives of their children and as a result, they are challenging existing stereotypes and perceptions. More efforts are needed to encourage young men to assume responsibility for their children and to develop stronger family relations.

Fathers’ emotional challenges and barriers to supporting breastfeeding initiation and duration

Exclusive breastfeeding has significant health benefits for mother and child. Research highlights the important role of fathers in helping increase breastfeeding rates, but little is known about their emotional needs and how these affect breastfeeding decisions. This article aims to explore and identify the emotional challenges fathers experience, and how they affect initiation and duration rates. Eleven studies were included in the literature review and four themes were identified: Information/education; Decision making; Role/attachment; and Wellbeing. The findings suggest that fathers should be proactively involved in breastfeeding interventions and should recognise their own emotional needs to positively influence breastfeeding rates.

Nurturing Masculinities: Constructing New Narratives of Fatherhood

Despite a relatively short history of direct research on male experiences of fatherhood, practices and patterns of parenthood have varied and continue to meaningfully vary by gender. As the contemporary field of fatherhood studies has grown, it has shown fatherhood to be a complex and moving target. This essay considers both the Catholic moral tradition and social scientific research to consider how human relational potentials are encouraged or limited by narratives surrounding fatherhood today. While both American society and Catholic teaching continue to develop and contain significant diversities in their conceptions and presentations of fatherhood, these narratives remain similarly limited in important ways regarding diverse expressions of paternal care. Nonetheless, Catholic moral commitments suggest an obligation to promote narratives that support more expansive understandings of male capabilities in childcare and domestic life. This essay explores such a commitment in light of contemporary experiences of fatherhood. It seeks to identify ways in which male parental experiences are truncated by prevailing narratives and offer pathways to support fuller realization of human capabilities in male caregiving.

STRESS AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG FATHERS OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN IN KLANG VALLEY

Many research articles have studied the conflicts and stress experienced by parents and mothers of special needs children with different disability such as autism, cerebral palsy, learning disabilities, down syndrome and others. Unfortunately, there are lack of study focusing the experiences of Malaysian fathers of special needs children. This study aimed to examine the stress level using Parental Stress Scale (PSS) and quality of life (QOL) using WHOQOL-BREF, a short version of QOL and to study correlation between stress and quality of life. Two hundred and fifty-six (n=256) samples included fathers of special needs children (n=128) and fathers of typical children (n=128) were recruited into this cross-sectional study from centers or schools in Klang Valley. A set of questionnaire containing 3 sections were distributed via hard copies and online survey. Section 1 comprised father’s demographic data and child’ demographic data and Section 2 was a questionnaire Parental Stress Scale (PSS) to assess stress of fathers and Section 3 was WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire to examine the quality of life of fathers. The demographic data, PSS score and WHOQOL score was analysed using descriptive analysis. Meanwhile, Pearson r was used to identify the correlation between stress and quality of life of fathers of special needs children. The findings of the study showcased that fathers of special needs children have higher mean stress level (M=44.50) and lower quality of life (M=14.16) and where else, fathers of typical children has lower stress level (M=39.70) and higher quality of life (M=15.41). The Person r correlation test indicated moderate negative correlation between stress and quality of life (QOL) of fathers of special needs children, r= .328, p<0.01, two-tailed, n=128. Higher parental stress indicated lower level of sensitivity and poorer quality of parental-child relationship.

“I am not exaggerating, literally a monster … a Jekyll and Hyde type thing”: Understanding the lived experience of adoptive fathers whose children display violence and aggression

The caregiving of fathers, especially adoptive fathers, is currently under-researched. This study explored the experience of adoptive fathers whose children displayed aggression and violence. Six Parent Development Interviews from a larger study were analysed using an attachment-informed Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis. Attachment discourse analysis derived from the Meaning of the Child Interview (MotC) and Parental Reflective Functioning Scale acted as ‘third voice’ in dialogue with the researchers’ and participants’ to explore the fathers’ experience interpersonally, in the context of their family relationships. Four superordinate themes were identified, with these fathers feeling ‘The Problem is in the Child’, at times sensing themselves persecuted by their child and lacking agency as a parent. ‘Confusion and Comparison’ highlighted the fathers’ sense of helplessness and longing for the ‘normal’ family life they associated with being a biological parent. The fathers also talked of ‘The Mixed Blessing of Feeling like a Father’, expressing extremes of anger but also fondness for their children. Participants engaged in ‘Looking Back’ both at their child’s trauma history and their own history of being parented, which in all but one father, also involved trauma. This left the fathers searching for answers to questions around biological versus relational origins of difficulties, and also pain arising from their own frustrated intention to create a better family life than they had experienced themselves in childhood. Common to all of this was the fathers’ sense of helplessness in being unable to contain or influence their child’s difficult behaviour, that negated or challenged their sense of fatherhood. We suggest a more relational approach that explicitly includes the father’s past and present experience, rather than treating the child’s aggressive behaviour in isolation. This could support fathers in recovering an internal experience of a shared relationship with, and being a father to, their adopted child.

Transcriptomic analysis of paternal behaviors in prairie voles

BackgroundThe importance of fathers’ engagement in care and its critical role in the offspring’s cognitive and emotional development is now well established. Yet, little is known on the underlying neurobiology due to the lack of appropriate animal models. In the socially monogamous and bi-parental prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster), while 60–80% of virgin males show spontaneous paternal behaviors (Paternal), others display pup-directed aggression (Attackers). Here we took advantage of this phenotypic dichotomy and used RNA-sequencing in three important brain areas to characterize gene expression associated with paternal behaviors of Paternal males and compare it to experienced Fathers and Mothers.ResultsWhile Paternal males displayed the same range and extent of paternal behaviors as experienced Fathers, we observed structure-specific transcriptomic differences between parental behaviors phenotypes. Using differential expression, gene set expression, as well as co-expression network analyses, we found that phenotypic differences between Paternal males and Attackers were mainly reflected by the lateral septum (LS), and to a lower extent, the nucleus accumbens (NAc), transcriptomes. In the medial preoptic area (MPOA), the profiles of gene expression mainly reflected differences between females and males regardless of their parental behaviors phenotype. Functional enrichment analyses of those gene sets associated with Paternal males or Attackers in the LS and the NAc revealed the involvement of processes related to the mitochondria, RNA translation, protein degradation processes, as well as epigenetic regulation of gene expression.ConclusionsBy leveraging the natural phenotypic differences in parental behaviors in virgin male prairie voles alongside fathers and mothers, we identified a marked structure- and phenotype-specific pattern of gene expression associated with spontaneous paternal behaviors independently from fatherhood and pair-bonding. The LS transcriptome related to the mitochondria, RNA translation, and protein degradation processes was thus highlighted as a primary candidate associated with the spontaneous display of paternal behaviors. Altogether, our observations further characterize the behavioral and transcriptomic signature of parental behaviors in the socially monogamous prairie vole and lay the groundwork to further our understanding of the molecular underpinnings of paternal behavior.

The lived experience of fathers with intellectual disabilities: An interpretative phenomenological analysis

Fathers with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities (ID) are under-represented in research. This article explores the lived childhood experiences of fathers with ID using interpretive phenomenology to understand the meanings ascribed to these experiences and how this has shaped their understanding of self. Rich data was collected through in-depth interviewing of fathers in Poland. The analysis yielded thirteen constituent themes and four superordinate themes: traumatic experiences; resilience; the positive impact of significant others; and becoming a better parent. Many fathers focused on traumatic experiences associated with problematic parental practices (abuse, neglect, parental substance misuse) and discrimination in schools. Participants made meaning of adverse experiences especially resilience, strengths and a determination to be a better parent, which helped them cope with adverse situations. This study provides insights into the impact of lived childhood experiences of these fathers, which in many ways shapes their own parental practices.

The Social Experiences of Single Gay Fathers in Israel: An Intersectional Perspective.

Through an intersectional lens, this study explores the experience of being a single gay father by choice in Israeli society, which continues to view the traditional heterosexual two-parent family as the ideal. Analysis of 15 in-depth, semi-structured interviews with single gay Israeli fathers suggests that their experiences are characterized by constant tension between their self-perceived social acceptance and sense of belonging on the one hand and their encounters with discrimination and bias on the other. The findings shed light on the ways in which the fathers’ complex experiences are shaped by the intersection between their identity as parents and their two marginalized identities: single male parents and gay fathers. These identities were found to be highly contextual and affected by macro-level factors. As the fathers cope with their environment, they develop a sense of belonging alongside a deep sense of otherness, suggesting that the sense of belonging and the sense of otherness are not binary opposites, but rather two social categories that are continually constructed through the intersection between different identities and their interaction with macro-level factors, making single gay parenthood a multidimensional experience.

Parenting and family experiences of Chinese fathers with mental illness.

INTRODUCTION: Parenting roles are important for those with a mental illness. While research on mothers is well established there is scant focus on fathers with mental illness, especially in non-Anglophone countries. To better understand the parenting and family experiences of fathers, who have a mental illness, from the People's Republic of China. Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine Chinese fathers with mental illness, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Seven superordinate themes were identified: (i) mental illness undermines idealized images of fatherhood; (ii) parenting in the context of mental illness; (iii) concerns about the negative impact of their illness on children; (iv) children as a burden and a source of hope; (v) stigma; (vi) relying on family support; and (vii) unmet professional and peer support needs. Chinese fathers held a gendered image of fatherhood, and experienced self-stigma for not living up to their ideal sense of fatherhood, which resulted in a reluctance to seek support. This study adds to the existing literature by focusing on Chinese fathers. Although many of their experiences are similar to fathers from Western countries, some differences were found, notably around a reliance on extended family support. Nurses and other mental health professionals need to adopt a family-focused, culturally informed approach to supporting Chinese fathers with mental illness and their families.

Redefining Fatherhood in a Migratory Context: A Narrative Inquiry into the Experiences of African First-time Fathers in Belgium.

Many African fathers face practices in their host countries that conflict with the conceptions of fatherhood in their countries of origin. They deal with negative stereotypes, including notions of paternal irresponsibility when it comes to embracing child care. This article looks at how exposure to the Belgian norms of fatherhood may redefine the fatherhood practices of African first-time fathers residing in Belgium. Drawing on a qualitative narrative approach, this article explores the perceptions and experiences of African migrant fathers in Belgium and examines how they adapt to a different fathering culture. The findings show that while African first-time fathers acknowledged their primary role as providers, they also embraced new practices that transgress defined gender lines in African culture. In the absence of a larger family support network, respondents face the responsibility of providing prenatal and postnatal support and sharing in child care responsibilities. Findings also shed light on how African fathers with European partners engage in shared decision-making and negotiate on core African values such as male circumcision.