Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
07:56
Assessing the Coherence of Parents' Short Narratives Regarding their Child Using the Five-Minute Speech Sample Procedure
Published on: September 19, 2019
Exploring the Emotional Experiences of First-Time Fathers During Infancy: A Qualitative Study
Sharanya Chatterjee1, Vaishalee Saravanan1, Samyukta Vaidyanathan1
1Department of Clinical Psychology, Manipal College of Health Professions, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, India.
American Journal of Men'S Health
|May 23, 2026
Summary
First-time fathers experience significant emotional shifts and identity changes during infancy. Supportive relationships are crucial for navigating fatherhood
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Paternal Mental Health
Background:
- The emotional experiences of first-time fathers are often overlooked compared to mothers.
- Understanding fathers' challenges, support needs, and mental health is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the emotional landscape of first-time fathers during infancy.
- To identify key themes in the paternal experience of early fatherhood.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative, exploratory research design.
- In-depth semi-structured interviews with 13 first-time fathers.
- Thematic analysis of interview data.
Main Results:
- Five overarching themes emerged: paternal concerns, fatherhood transformations, positive experiences, infant care adjustment, and support systems.
- Significant emotional changes, shifting identities, and balancing responsibility with joy characterize the first-time fatherhood journey.
- Supportive relationships significantly shape fathers' experiences.
Conclusions:
- First-time fatherhood is a dynamic period of emotional and identity evolution.
- Findings have implications for clinical practice, policy, and research in paternal mental health.
- Highlights the need for increased recognition and support for fathers during this life stage.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
01:28Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
01:20Attachment
Attachment is vital for infant development, as warm social interactions support growth and well-being. In a classic 1958 study by Harry Harlow, the significance of warmth and comfort in forming attachments was examined. Harlow separated newborn monkeys from their mothers and provided two artificial "mothers": one made of cold wire and the other covered in soft cloth. Despite the wire mother offering food, the infant monkeys preferred the comfort of the cloth mother, demonstrating that physical...
01:14Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development
The sensorimotor stage, the initial phase of Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, spans the first two years of a child's life. During this period, infants actively engage with their surroundings, building cognitive awareness through direct interaction with the world. This interaction is primarily based on sensory perception and motor actions, allowing infants to gradually understand basic physical properties and predict how objects interact within their environment.
Exploration...
Exploration...
01:30Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Social-emotional experiences and cultural influences play significant roles in shaping gender development. During middle childhood, from ages 6 to 11, peer groups become dominant in reinforcing gender norms. Children in this age group often align with same-gender peer groups, which actively encourage behaviors that conform to traditional gender roles. For instance, boys may be discouraged from engaging in activities perceived as feminine, reinforcing culturally dictated norms about masculinity...
01:18Sources of Self-Esteem I: Family Experience
Self-esteem, a crucial component of psychological development, is significantly shaped by familial experiences. The early parent-child relationship serves as a foundational influence on a child's self-concept, with long-lasting effects extending into adolescence and adulthood.Parental Behaviors and Early Self-Esteem FormationEmpirical studies have identified four principal parental behaviors that foster healthy self-esteem in children. These include expressions of acceptance, affection, and...