Understanding fathers' help-seeking: A scoping review

The fatherhood period presents a potential risk to both mental and physical health. Therefore, fathers must maintain their mental and physical health by seeking support. Despite this, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews on fathers' help-seeking. This study aims to identify research gaps related to fathers' help-seeking through a scoping review. Five databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Ichushi Web) were used to identify relevant studies. Inclusion criteria were: (a) studies written in English or Japanese and (b) include help-seeking of fathers who have children under 20 years old or whose partners are pregnant. The characteristics of the studies and help-seeking were summarized using descriptive analysis methods. The main findings related to fathers' help-seeking were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. This scoping review identified five themes related to factors influencing fathers' help-seeking and one theme representing help-seeking itself. Key barriers included the fathers' lack of knowledge and awareness about the disease or support, as well as their marginalization and lack of individualized support. Quality of service providers and pathways to support (e.g., screening) were also considered crucial factors. Based on these results, there is a need to develop a health literacy program and specialized support initiatives for fathers. Furthermore, specific training should be developed for service providers to enhance their ability to support fathers. Moreover, a routine perinatal care system, including screening or home visits for fathers, should be established. Further research should focus on specific elements of help-seeking, such as the processes involved or types of concerns.