A qualitative exploratory study of UK first-time fathers' experiences, mental health and wellbeing needs during their transition to fatherhood.

To develop an understanding of men's experiences of first-time fatherhood, their mental health and wellbeing needs. A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Data were analysed using framework analysis. Two large National Health Service integrated care trusts covering four London (UK) local authority boroughs. First-time fathers with children under 12 months of age were included. Maximum variation sampling was used, with 21 fathers recruited. Ten of these men described their ethnic background as Indian, seven as White British, one as Spanish, one as Black African, one as Black Caribbean and one as Pakistani. Participants' ages ranged from 20 to over 60 years; completion of full-time education ranged from high school certificate to doctorate level; and annual income ranged from £15 000 to over £61 000. Non-English speaking fathers, those experiencing bereavement following neonatal death, stillbirth, pregnancy loss, sudden infant death, and fathers with existing severe mental illnesses were excluded. Nine major categories were identified: 'preparation for fatherhood', 'rollercoaster of feelings', 'new identity', 'challenges and impact', 'changed relationship: we're in a different place', 'coping and support', 'health professionals and services: experience, provision and support', 'barriers to accessing support', and 'men's perceived needs: what fathers want'. Resident (residing with their partner and baby) and non-resident fathers in this study highlighted broadly similar needs, as did fathers for whom English was their first language and those for whom it was not. A key finding of this study relates to men's own perceived needs and how they would like to be supported during the perinatal period, contributing to the current evidence. This study provides insight into first-time fathers' experiences during their transition to fatherhood, with important implications for healthcare policy makers, service providers and professionals for how perinatal and early years services are planned and provided for both new parents.

Baldwin S ，Malone M ，Sandall J ，Bick D ... -  《BMJ Open》

Fathers' views and experiences of their own mental health during pregnancy and the first postnatal year: a qualitative interview study of men participating in the UK Born and Bred in Yorkshire (BaBY) cohort.

Darwin Z ，Galdas P ，Hinchliff S ，Littlewood E ，McMillan D ，McGowan L ，Gilbody S ，Born and Bred in Yorkshire (BaBY) team ... -  《BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth》

Mental health and wellbeing during the transition to fatherhood: a systematic review of first time fathers' experiences.

Baldwin S ，Malone M ，Sandall J ，Bick D ... -  《-》

A mixed-methods feasibility study of an intervention to improve men's mental health and wellbeing during their transition to fatherhood.

Many health visiting services in England use the Promotional Guide system with mothers and fathers, an intervention to support their transition to parenthood, but there is little known about its use and effectiveness, especially with fathers. The aim of this study was to test the feasibility and acceptability of the Promotional Guide system with first-time fathers and pilot potential outcome measures to assess their mental health and wellbeing. A mixed methods prospective observational cohort study. Expectant first-time fathers were recruited from four London (UK) local authority boroughs. Data were collected through online pre and post intervention questionnaires, and semi-structured telephone interviews. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed using framework analysis. Eighty-six fathers were interested in participating; 7 did not meet inclusion criteria and 79 were invited to complete the baseline questionnaire. Questionnaires completed by 45 men at both timepoints were included in the final analysis. Mean and standard deviations were calculated for all outcomes, showing a slight deterioration in the scores across all measures in the postnatal period compared to the antenatal. Ten of these men were also interviewed. Six major categories were identified: 1) Experience of health visitor contact, 2) Experience of Promotional Guides, 3) Experience of perinatal health services, 4) Experience of fatherhood, 5) Fathers' mental health and wellbeing, and 6) Experience of the research process. While antenatal and postnatal outcomes were collected from 45 first-time fathers, none had received the intervention in its entirety. This study identified major gaps in the implementation of the Promotional Guide system with fathers. This study assessed recruitment of first-time fathers, time to complete recruitment, and retention rates and identified outcome measures that could be used in a future definitive study. While it wasn't possible to examine the potential changes following the use of the Promotional Guide system, the study reported on the changes in the fathers' 'states' in the antenatal and postnatal period. It provided a narrative on whether first-time fathers found it acceptable to be asked about their mental health and wellbeing, highlighted their specific needs during their transition to fatherhood, and how they wanted to be supported. It also identified barriers to implementation of the Promotional Guide system by health visitors, which need to be addressed prior to any future research into this intervention. These findings have a number of implications for researchers, health professionals, health service managers, commissioners, policy makers and parents.

Baldwin S ，Malone M ，Murrells T ，Sandall J ，Bick D ... -  《BMC PUBLIC HEALTH》

'It's the first scientific evidence': men's experience of pregnancy confirmation.

Draper J 《JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING》