Well-being Of Fathers Research Articles

Empathy, Theory of Mind, and psychological outcomes in early parenthood: comparing mothers, fathers, and non-parents.

Parenthood may influence social cognitive processes such as Theory of Mind (ToM) and empathy, which are linked to parental psychological well-being. However, there is limited research on these relationship in the early postpartum period (6-12 months post-birth). This study explores differences in ToM and empathy in parents of young infants compared to non-parents and examines how these traits relate to parents' psychological well-being, attachment, and caregiving attitudes. A sample of 209 parents (53 mothers, 56 fathers) of infants aged 6-12 months and 100 non-parents completed the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) for empathy and the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) for ToM. Measures of parents' stress and psychological distress were also included. Parents demonstrated higher empathic concern compared to non-parent men, with no differences in ToM. Subgroup analyses revealed distinct patterns in how empathy and ToM related to attachment, caregiving attitudes, and well-being, with empathic concern linked to lower stress in mothers and personal distress associated with poorer well-being in fathers. The findings underscore empathy's relevance to parental mental health and caregiving, suggesting avenues for targeted mental health interventions. Future research should employ experimental and longitudinal designs to expand on these findings.

NURTURING FATHER AND DAUGHTER RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILY WELL-BEING: A COMMUNITY-BASED TRANSFORMATIVE INITIATIVE

Research supports that the positive involvement of fathers in caregiving activities cultivates family cohesion and fosters the emotional well-being of fathers and their families. However, there are limited community-based resources that support and celebrate the development of nurturing fatherhood and focus on strengthening father-daughter relationships. In collaboration with diverse communities in Calgary, Canada, a local network launched a community-based and culturally relevant program, Honouring Fathers and Daughters, to promote positive fatherhood roles and to celebrate both nurturing fatherhood practices and the significance of father-daughter relationships. Participants (N=65), from ethnically and socioeconomically diverse backgrounds, including 19 fathers, 17 mothers, and 29 children, joined the program. A community-based research approach (CBR) was employed to gather participant responses through feedback forms. Through qualitative analysis, responses indicated three key themes: valuing and appreciating father-daughter relationships, the need for social and cultural spaces for the engagement and transformation of fathers, and the importance of providing opportunities for fathers to learn new strategies for parenting and bonding with their daughters. This article highlights the importance of community-based engagement programs for nurturing father-daughter relationships and provides insights for communities.

Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions for Improving Working Conditions on the Health and Wellbeing of Fathers or Parents: A Systematic Review.

Evidence on the effectiveness of workplace interventions for improving working conditions on the health and wellbeing of fathers is scarce. We reviewed studies on the effectiveness of various workplace interventions designed to improve working conditions for the health and wellbeing of employed fathers and their families. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-randomized controlled trials of workplace interventions applied to employees with the aim of improving working conditions of employed parents, compared with no intervention, other active arms, placebo, wait list, or usual practice were included. Studies involving only women were excluded. An electronic search of the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsycINFO, ERIC and SSCI was done for eligible studies. Studies were screened against predetermined criteria and assessment of risk of bias done using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions for RCTs and the Risk of Bias Assessment tool for Non-randomized Studies for non-RCTs. Of the 8229 records identified, 19 reports were included in this review: 14 reports from five RCTs and five reports from two quasi-RCT studies. The studies were conducted in four different countries among working populations from various sectors. Studies addressing issues related to improving working conditions of fathers alone were lacking. All included studies assessed intervention effects on various health-related outcomes, the most common being sleep disturbances and mental health outcomes. Interventions administered yielded positive effects on various health outcomes across all seven studies. All included studies had methodological limitations, while study designs and methodologies lacked comparability. Consequently, a narrative synthesis of evidence is provided. Based on our findings, providing workplace interventions for improving working conditions may improve some aspects of the health and wellbeing of employed parents, including fathers.

Correlation Between Self-Adjustment and Psychological Well-Being of Fathers

Psychological well-being is the condition of individuals who are able to assess themselves and others positively, be able to make decisions independently, and have clear life goals. Individuals who have good psychological well-being will feel happy and satisfied with the life they have. Psychological well-being is related to the individual’s personality, while the personality of each individual will be different in responding to self-adjustment and will appear different according to how the individual adjusts. Based on this, psychological well-being is influenced by self-adjustment. A man who is a father, husband, and head of family who can adjust well will have a harmonious and prosperous life in his marriage. This research applied a correlational quantitative method with an independent variable of self-adjustment and a dependent variable of psychological well-being. Data were collected using a psychological well-being scale and a self-adjustment scale. 100 fathers with an age range from 19 to 40 years were recruited through purposive sampling. Data were analyzed through the Pearson product-moment correlation test. The correlation coefficient value in this study was 0.601 with a p-value of 0.001 (p < 0.05). These findings showed that there was a significant positive relationship between self-adjustment and psychological well-being in fathers.
 Keywords: self-adjustment, psychological well-being, fathers

A Qualitative Exploration of Fathers’ Antenatal and Postnatal Challenges

This study explores and identifies the different challenges for both antenatal and postnatal fathers that might act as precursors for poor paternal perinatal emotional well-being. Twelve fathers living in Sydney, aged over 18 years, identified as either an antenatal or postnatal father were interviewed concerning their experiences. Interview data were thematically analysed to identify challenges faced by expectant and new fathers. Five main challenges were identified – father–mother relationship, father–child relationship, life changes, lack of support and birth event. The results of this study indicate possible differences between antenatal and postnatal challenges, with postnatal fathers being confronted by additional challenges. These findings provide valuable insight for health professionals to better target treatment interventions by considering the actual precursors for poor emotional well-being in fathers.

Comparison of Resilience and Subjective Well-being to Fathers and Mothers Who Have Postlingual Deafness Children

This study aims to compare the resilience and subjective well-being of fathers with mothers who have postlingual deafness children. Participants in this study were 336 parents (168 fathers and 168 mothers) who had postlingual deafness children, were biological fathers and mothers of postlingual deafness children, lived with their partners and children who experienced postlingual deafness, were able to communicate verbally and in writing using Indonesian good, domiciled in West Java. This research uses a comparative study approach. The instrument used in this study is the CD-RISC which has been modified into Indonesian by Lamsinar & Ratna (2011) and subjective well-being instruments constructed by researchers based on the Diener theory. The findings in this study reveal that there are significant differences in resilience and subjective well-being between fathers and mothers who have postlingual deafness children. Based on the average resilience and average subjective well-being seen in the group, the group of fathers who have postlingual deafness children has a higher score compared to the group of mothers who have postlingual deafness children.

447. Paternal consequences of preeclampsia

Women experiencing pre-eclampsia or HELLP syndrome are known to be at increased risk of developing mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postpartum depression. While the role of fathers in the etiology and pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia becomes increasingly clear, the effects of pre-eclampsia on the mental wellbeing of fathers is scarcely researched. A recent meta-analysis on the mental health of fathers demonstrate that 8% of fathers suffers from depression, which is twice the rate of depression in the adult male population. Postpartum posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may also occur in partners. Particularly stressful for fathers in case of severe preeclampsia with preterm birth appears to be the separation from and between mother and child, and starting fatherhood facing existential issues. Research into the paternal consequences of preeclampsia is scarce and warrants further evaluation. In the meantime, qualitative studies point out the important of supporting partners of women with pre-eclampsia during pregnancy and in the postpartum period: by actively involving fathers during the hospitalization and in postnatal care; by normalizing the mental health impact of potentially life-threatening conditions such as pre-eclampsia and HELLP syndrome, also on partners; by monitoring the wellbeing of fathers postpartum, especially in case of preterm birth and in partners with a history of mental disorders; by informing partners of possible mental health consequences; and by validating fathers if they report mental health issues or psychiatric symptoms.

The Dynamics of Eudaimonic Well-Being in the Transition to Parenthood: Differences Between Fathers and Mothers

Little is known about changes in existential dimensions of well-being (i.e., eudaimonic well-being) when becoming a parent, particularly in men. This study examined eudaimonic well-being during the transition to parenthood, considering depressive symptoms and gender differences. Fifty pregnant couples ( n = 50 fathers-to-be; n = 50 mothers-to-be; age range 24-53 years) enrolled in maternity units during pregnancy ordinary check-ups, participated in the study. Ratings of eudaimonic well-being (Ryff’s Psychological Well-Being Scales) and depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale) were collected prenatally and postnatally. In line with the study hypothesis, the results showed that having a child increased well-being in both parents. Surprisingly, well-being in fathers improved more than in mothers. Gender differences accounted for 4.6% of the variance in postnatal eudaimonic well-being, while prenatal levels of eudaimonic well-being accounted for 70%. Becoming a parent has important implications for eudaimonic well-being especially in fathers. Clinical and sociological implications of the findings are discussed.

Attitudinal barriers to help-seeking and preferences for mental health support among Australian fathers

Objective: To (a) identify attitudinal barriers to help-seeking for mental health difficulties among fathers of young children; (b) explore the relationships between perceived barriers to help-seeking and mental health difficulties (i.e. depressive, anxiety, stress symptoms); (c) identify socio-demographic factors associated with barriers to help-seeking; and (d) identify fathers’ preferences for mental health support.Background: One in 10 Australian fathers experience mental health difficulties in the early parenting period. Low rates of help-seeking and under-utilisation of health care services are key issues for the provision of mental health support to fathers at this important life stage.Method: The sample consisted of 154 fathers of young children (aged 0–8 years) participating in an Australian online survey on parent wellbeing and parenting. The Barriers to Help-Seeking Scale assessed fathers’ attitudinal barriers to help-seeking for mental health support. Socio-demographic factors related to fathers’ employment, education, and family composition were assessed.Results: The most common attitudinal barriers to help-seeking were: (a) the need for control and self-reliance in managing one’s own problems, (b) a tendency to downplay or minimise problems, and (c) a sense of resignation that nothing will help. A range of demographic (i.e. age, educational attainment) factors were associated with these barriers. The most common preferences for support were internet-based information resources, followed by support provided by general practitioners and maternal child health nurses.Conclusions: These findings have important implications for health promotion, health services and clinical approaches to promoting the health and wellbeing of fathers.

Prevalence and Factors Associated With Postpartum Depression in Fathers: A Regional, Longitudinal Study in Japan.

Paternal postpartum depression may affect not only the mental health and wellbeing of fathers but their partners and children. We investigated the point and period prevalence of paternal postpartum depression and its association with factors measured during pregnancy in a regional longitudinal study in Nishio City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, between December 1, 2012, and April 30, 2013. Data were collected once in pregnancy and five times in the first three months postpartum. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess paternal depression, and data were collected in pregnancy on demographic and psychosocial factors. Of 215 fathers who returned at least one of the five postpartum assessments, 36 (17%) reported symptoms of depression in the first three months after birth. In logistic regression analyses, among a number of demographic and psychosocial characteristics that previously had been linked to paternal postpartum depression, only fathers' history of psychiatric treatment and depressive symptoms during pregnancy were associated with paternal depressive symptoms in the postnatal period. The results add to the growing body of evidence on prevalence of paternal postnatal depression and indicate that assessment and support for fathers are important starting in pregnancy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Fathers' mental health and wellbeing: Why is it significant to health visiting?

Mental health and wellbeing is a public health priority in the UK. The transition to parenthood can be a stressful time bringing new challenges, which can significantly affect the mental wellbeing of both mothers and fathers. While the importance of maternal mental health is widely recognised, fathers' mental health needs are less well understood. Poor mental health in fathers can have an adverse effect on the child's health and development. Health visitors can play a key role in improving fathers' mental health during this crucial time. This paper is the second of a two-part series on fatherhood, which explores the importance of improving mental health and wellbeing in fathers in the postnatal period.

Experiences of health and well‐being among Finnish low‐income fathers

This article describes the everyday experiences of health and well-being among Finnish low-income fathers. The aim of study is to understand the health experiences of low-income fathers and the factors influencing the health experience and to develop nursing care in order to provide support for them. The approach is phenomenological and method is based on hermeneutical and descriptive phenomenology. The informants in this study were seven low-income Finnish fathers with children under 16 years old. Well-being of the fathers appeared as personal, realistic and bound to everyday life: income sufficient for meeting basic needs, everyday health, the pleasure and priviledge of life and the meaningfulness of the relationships in family and in community. Fathers used individual methods for maintaining the experience of well-being and they experienced the support from official sources as positive or negative. The findings of this study suggest that well-being of low-income fathers living under threat of marginalisation will be supported by care providers taking into account individual, social and economic factors, and that this support will have to be gender-sensitive, realistic and based on their everyday life.

The relationship between participation of child-care and psychological well-being in fathers with pre-school children

The relationship between participation of child-care and psychological well-being in fathers with pre-school children

Paternal Involvement and the Well-Being of Fathers and Mothers of Young Children

Paternal Involvement and the Well-Being of Fathers and Mothers of Young Children