First-time fathers navigating caregiving and paid work: A Portuguese dyadic-longitudinal qualitative study

This study aimed to explore how first-time (heterosexual) fathers' involvement in caregiving and paid work roles was (co)constructed with their partners during the transition to parenthood-a period that entails unique adaptations and emotional experiences for fathers. Importantly, the emergence of the father role occurs within a relational context. However, few studies use a dyadic lens, and even fewer take a longitudinal approach to capture these unfolding dynamics during the transition to parenthood. An even smaller number combine these perspectives with a qualitative approach to understand how fathers construct and negotiate their new role within the coparenting relationship. We conducted semistructured individual interviews with Portuguese couples in two waves: during the third trimester of pregnancy and 18 months after birth. We analyzed data from 40 interviews (10 couples in total) using dyadic-longitudinal qualitative analysis. We grouped couples into one of three groups, which capture broad patterns and typical behaviors, values, and beliefs about work and parenting roles: "working fathers, caregiving mothers," "in-between care and work," and "equal care, equal work." Fathers' involvement in caregiving and paid work roles begins to take shape early in pregnancy through co-constructive processes, influenced by an interplay of individual and shared expectations, and available resources. Our findings highlight challenges faced during the transition to parenthood that may inform the development of psychological interventions that foster a supportive and adaptive family environment and promote fathers' involvement. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).