Multiparous Fathers Research Articles

Partner and professional support are associated with father-infant bonding: A cross-sectional analysis of mothers, midwives, and child health nurses’ influence on primiparous and multiparous fathers of infants in Sweden

ObjectiveTo assess if received professional and social support are associated with father-infant bonding among primiparous (first-time) and multiparous (multi-time) fathers. BackgroundEarly father-infant bonding predicts several positive child outcomes. However, while received professional and social support positively impacts fathers’ transition into parenthood, little research has tested if these factors are associated with a stronger father-infant bond. MethodsIn total, 499 fathers (296 primiparous and 203 multiparous) of infants (aged 0–12 months) completed a cross-sectional online survey between November 2018 and March 2020. The survey included items related to socio-demographics, having a planned pregnancy, postnatal midwifery support, child health nurse support, child health center attendance, and social support. The parent-infant bonding questionnaire (PBQ) was used to assess the father-infant bond. Multiple linear regression models were estimated for the total sample and based on paternal parity. Missing data were managed through multiple imputation procedures. FindingsFathers reported fewer bonding disturbances if they received support from their partners, postnatal midwives, child health nurses, and attended more child health visits. Primiparous fathers reported fewer bonding disturbances when receiving support from their partners, postnatal midwives, and the child health nurse. However, multiparous fathers had more bonding disturbances than primiparous fathers and received less professional and partner support. ConclusionsReceiving more partner and professional support is associated with less father-infant bonding disturbances. To encourage a better father-infant bond, clinicians should invite and support all fathers, regardless of parity, as they transition to parenthood.

Parental experience is linked with lower vasopressin receptor 1a binding and decreased postpartum androgens in titi monkeys.

Parenting induces many neurological and behavioral changes that enable parents to rear offspring. Vasopressin plays an important role in this process via its effects on cognition, affect, and neuroplasticity, and in some cases, via interactions with decreased parental androgens. Thus far, the role of these hormones has been primarily studied in rodents. To address this gap, we explored vasopressin receptors and androgens in titi monkeys, a pair-bonding and biparental primate species. In Studies 1 and 2, we used receptor autoradiography to correlate arginine vasopressin receptor 1a (AVPR1a) binding in the hippocampus (Study 1, n = 10) and the rest of the forebrain (Study 2, n = 23) with parental status, parental experience, parity, infant carrying, and pair affiliation. We found that parents exhibited lower AVPR1a binding than non-parents throughout most brain regions assessed, with especially strong effects in the hippocampus (β = -.61), superior colliculus (β = -.88), lateral septum (β = -.35), and medial preoptic area (β = -.29). The other measures of parental experience also tended to be negatively associated with AVPR1a binding across different brain regions. In Study 3 (n = 44), we compared pre- and postpartum urinary androgen levels in parents and non-parents and found that mothers exhibited a sustained androgen decrease across 3-4 months postpartum (relative to 3 months prepartum; β ranged from -.72 to -.62 for different comparisons). For males, we found that multiparous fathers exhibited decreased androgen levels at 1-2 weeks postpartum (β = -.25) and at 3-4 months postpartum (β = -.40) compared to the prepartum, indicating both immediate and long-term reductions with subsequent paternal experience. Together, the results of this study suggest that decreases in AVPR1a binding and circulating androgens are associated with parental behavior and physiology in titi monkeys.

Links between perceived social support, sense of parental efficacy and postpartum paternal depression

ObjectiveAlthough fathers are strongly encouraged to get involved in parenthood since pregnancy, there is still little research on the perinatal experience of fatherhood. In order to better understand and appreciate the experience of fathers during the first months after their child's birth, in this study we investigated the links between perceived social support, sense of parental efficacy and postpartum depression. Similar to studies on mothers, several risk factors may increase the fathers’ vulnerability to the development of postpartum depression symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine whether higher levels of perceived social support and sense of parental efficacy are predictive of lower levels of postpartum depression symptoms in a sample of fathers living in France. Material and methodThe study population is made up of 376 fathers aged 18 to 59 years old, living in France, and having had a child in the past 6 months. Fathers answered to measures of depression symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), perceived social support (Social Provisions Scale), and sense of parental efficacy (Parenting Expectations Survey). ResultsIn accordance with our hypotheses, fathers who reported the lowest perceptions of their parental efficacy and the lowest levels of perceived social support are those who reported the highest levels of postpartum depression symptoms. Low levels of perceived social support and of sense of parental efficacy predicted higher postpartum depression symptoms in fathers. Multiple linear regression analyses also showed that the oldest fathers in our sample (30 years and more) had the highest depression scores, as well as lower levels of perceived social support and sense of parental efficacy than younger fathers. Primiparous fathers had higher postpartum depression scores and lower parental efficacy scores than multiparous fathers. ConclusionThe considerable involvement of fathers in the study and the large size of our sample are strengths of our study that substantiate the interest of fathers in issues related to their parenthood, well-being and mental health. Our results encourage caregivers to give them more attention and well-tailored support to better respond to their specific needs during the transition to parenthood. Couple and individualized care for each parent should be proposed throughout the perinatal period in order to promote parental social support and sense of parental efficacy, particularly for first-time fathers, and to prevent postpartum disorders.

The experience of fathers during the covid-19 UK maternity care restrictions

ObjectiveDuring the COVID-19 pandemic fathers in the UK were excluded from many aspects of maternity care to reduce escalating transmission rates. This study explores the experiences of fathers who had a baby during the pandemic to understand what effect these maternity restrictions had on them and their relationship to the baby.DesignA qualitative interview study of the experiences of fathers whose baby was born during the pandemic-related UK maternity restrictions.Participants and settingNon-probability voluntary response sampling of 20 fathers: including 13 primiparous fathers and 7 multiparous fathers. Eligibility criteria were that fathers lived in the UK and had a baby born on or after the 23rd March 2020; the start of the most severe COVID-19 maternity restrictions. Participants were interviewed remotely via telephone using semi-structured interviews which were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis.FindingsFour themes, including ten sub-themes, were identified that described fathers’ experiences of the maternity restrictions and the father-baby relationship. The themes were: (1) The impact on paternal experience: this theme describes a collective negative paternal maternity experience as a result of the restrictions. Notably, father exclusion produced feelings of isolation and a sense of loss, along with a disconnection from the pregnancy. (2) The impact on the father-baby relationship: this theme discusses the adverse consequence of the restrictions on initial father-baby bonding. (3) Observed impact on mothers: the observed detrimental impact that excluding fathers had on maternal mental health and well-being. Finally, (4) Fatherhood in the ‘new normal’: the change of daily living during the pandemic aided profound family relationship building, improving long-term father-baby bonding, compared to pre-pandemic conditions.Key ConclusionsThe findings provide evidence of undesirable consequences the pandemic-related UK maternity restrictions had on birth partners. With restrictions to maternity care implemented across the globe, these concerns may be applicable at an international scale.Implications for practiceThis study adds to other contemporary literature on this subject and can inform discussion among maternity services of the importance of including fathers for improved parental well-being and initial infant bonding.

Midwives and child health nurses' support is associated with positive coparenting for fathers of infants: A cross-sectional analysis.

To examine if the professional support that fathers received from midwives and child health nurses was associated with improvements in fathers' coparenting. A secondary aim was to investigate if there were any support differences between fathers based on parity. Stronger coparenting is associated with improved maternal, paternal and child health. It is unclear if routine prenatal and postnatal professional support is associated with improved coparenting in fathers of infants. Cross-sectional online survey. In total, 612 fathers of infants (aged 0-24months) completed baseline data between November 2018 and March 2020. Socio-demographics, pregnancy control variables, social support, professional support, being invited to attend and attending three specific visits for fathers, respectively, and the fathers' coparenting relationship, using the Brief Coparenting Relationship Scale, were assessed. The STROBE checklist was used as the reporting guideline for this study. Fathers' attendance at child health visits, support from the prenatal and postnatal midwife, respectively, and total support from the child health nurse, are associated with more positive coparenting. Primiparous fathers reported more received social and professional support, as well as a more positive coparenting relationship than multiparous fathers. Receiving clinical support from both midwives and child health nurses is associated with fathers' positive coparenting. All fathers should be invited and encouraged to attend prenatal, postnatal and child health visits to further support their coparenting relationship. Relative to primiparous fathers, multiparous fathers may require targeted and additional clinical support regarding their coparenting relationship. With fathers becoming more involved in childrearing, having stronger coparenting skills can help them better adapt to their parental roles. Our findings help understand how routine professional support from midwives and child health nurses are experienced among new fathers and that multiparous fathers are in further need of coparenting support.

Paternal postnatal depression and received midwife, child health nurse, and maternal support: A cross-sectional analysis of primiparous and multiparous fathers

Background: Fathers want more professional and social support during the transition to fatherhood. It is unclear if these supports are associated with decreased depressive symptoms in fathers of infants. Aim: The aim of the current study was to assess if fathers’ self-reported received professional and social support were related to changes in the odds for having depressive symptoms, with interaction terms focusing on differences of support based on the fathers’ parity. Methods: In total, 612 fathers from Sweden completed a Facebook-advertised anonymous online survey. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to detect depressive symptoms (≥10 points). Multiple imputation of missing data was performed. Logistic regressions were used, with interaction terms for fathers’ parity. Results: Around 21% of fathers had depressive symptoms. There were no associations between depressive symptoms frequencies and paternal parity. Fathers reported fewer depressive symptoms when they received professional support from the prenatal midwife (OR = .39, p = .007), labor/birth midwife/nurse team (OR = .42, p = .021), and child health nurse (OR = .25, p = .001), as well as social support from their partner and if they had a higher income (odds ratios vary in different models). Multiparous fathers received significantly less professional and social support and were less frequently invited to child health visits than primiparous fathers. Limitations: The data collected was cross-sectional; therefore, causal links cannot be determined. Conclusions: Both primiparous and multiparous fathers should receive postnatal depression screenings and interventions to help reduce their depressive symptoms.

The Swedish Brief Coparenting Relationship Scale: Psychometrics and Concurrent Validity Among Primiparous and Multiparous Fathers

ObjectiveThis study aims to test the reliability and validity of the Swedish translation of the Brief Coparenting Relationship Scale (B‐CRS) among Swedish fathers.BackgroundThe transition to parenthood is a challenging period for many parents, but high‐quality coparenting can promote parental mental health, self‐efficacy, positive parenting skills, and children's healthy development. However, no study has validated a measure of coparenting for Swedish parents. In addition, it is unknown whether primiparous and multiparous fathers' coparenting differs.MethodFor this pilot study, 170 fathers of infants participated in an online survey and completed a follow‐up survey 6 months later.Resultst‐Tests comparing primiparous and multiparous fathers showed no significant differences, and, therefore, these participants were grouped together for subsequent analyses. This reinforces that the coparenting relationship, is consistent and thus reflects its importance for couples to develop high‐quality coparenting with their first child. Consistent with previous research from other countries, this study demonstrates good internal consistency with the B‐CRS. Six subscales were highly correlated with the overall B‐CRS score: Coparenting Agreement, Endorsement of Partner's Parenting, Coparenting Closeness, Coparenting Support, Coparenting Undermining, and Exposure to Conflict. Better coparenting quality, as measured by the B‐CRS, was linked to lower levels of depressive symptoms and higher levels of father–infant bonding.ConclusionsThese results support the use of the B‐CRS in Sweden as a reliable and valid measure of coparenting.ImplicationsCoparenting should be given greater consideration in future studies of new parent experiences and adjustment in Sweden.

EPA-0826 - Functional status of primiparous and multiparous fathers in the 6-8 weeks postpartum

Nowadays father’s role has been changing as a result of the evolution suffered by society. Parenthood sets a moment of crisis, which requires an adaptation and accountability of the father regarding the new roles he now has to assume. In this process we consider the functional status to be an adequate reference to the performance of these roles. Evaluate the functional Status of primiparous and multiparous fathers in the 6-8 weeks postpartum; analyze the association between sociodemographic and some obstetrics factors in fathers’ functional status and compare the functional status of primiparous and multiparous fathers. Descriptive-correlational study with a non-probabilistic, accidental sample constituted by 67 fathers, after the necessary ethics committee and CNPD approval. Data collection consisted of a questionnaire with sociodemographic and obstetric characterization and the inventory of functional status - fathers, Portuguese version. The study revealed evidence that fathers’ functional status is not influenced by age, academic qualification, marital status and parity. However is partly influenced by professional situation and pre-natal surveillance site. Profession stability seems to transfer emotional stability, as we believe that the man, in his parental role, feels more available to participate in new tasks and responsibilities if he feels that he assures his family livelihood. Nowadays, parents seek to know everything about their children, choosing specialized services and health professionals for skills development and demonstration of care, allowing and contributing to a more favorable transition and adaptation to the parental role and consequently less emotional vulnerability in postpartum.