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Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
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Psychosocial assessment of expectant fathers

R Fletcher1, G Vimpani, G Russell

  • 1Family Action Centre, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia. Richard.Fletcher@newcastle.edu.au

Archives of Women'S Mental Health
|February 5, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Many expectant fathers need support coping with new parenthood and require parenting education for infant care. This study highlights the importance of assessing fathers

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal mental health
  • Fatherhood studies
  • Parenting support

Background:

  • Antenatal psychosocial assessments for mothers are common.
  • Fathers' influence on maternal and infant well-being begins prenatally.
  • Early identification of expectant fathers' needs is underdeveloped.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the psychosocial needs of expectant fathers.
  • To explore the utility of mother-focused psychosocial questions for fathers.
  • To identify fathers requiring parenting support and education.

Main Methods:

  • Surveyed 307 fathers attending antenatal classes in New South Wales, Australia.
  • Utilized psychosocial questions adapted from maternal assessments.
  • Collected data from public and private hospital settings.

Main Results:

  • Fathers reported needs in coping with new parenthood stresses.
  • Fathers indicated a need for skills and knowledge in infant care.
  • Identified key areas for paternal support.

Conclusions:

  • Psychosocial assessment of fathers using adapted questions is recommended.
  • Targeted parenting education for fathers in infant care is advised.
  • Study limitations include low response rate and sample demographics.
Abstract

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