Understanding fathers’ perinatal mental health and well-being support needs: a qualitative study of fathers’ and professionals’ perspectives in North East England and North Cumbria, UK

Vollständiger Abstract

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Objectives The transition into fatherhood is considered a profound life stage, involving personal development, lifestyle and emotional adjustments. Fathers’ mental health can be adversely impacted by this transition. Fathers express isolation, exclusion and limited support within perinatal services. Restricted emotional support for fathers presents negative consequences for the whole family dynamic. Limited research has explored father and professional input associated with paternal perinatal support and how healthcare services and child and family services can respond to engaging fathers and their mental and emotional support needs. This qualitative study aims to explore fathers’ mental health and well-being experiences (referring to emotional or/and social well-being) and support needs within the perinatal period, as well as current viewpoints of perinatal services (maternity, healthcare and social care services) from both fathers’ and professionals’ perspectives. Design In-depth semistructured interviews and focus groups were carried out as part of a qualitative study. Setting Fathers’ resident within the North East and North Cumbria (NENC) and services and organisations from the voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector and social care services across the NENC, who associate with supporting families and children, and perinatal mental health. Participants Fathers (n=21) and professionals (VCSE and social care services) (n=9). Results Reflexive thematic analysis of 30 participants’ accounts identified two main themes and five subthemes: (1) ‘The Pregnant and Postnatal Man’ and (2) Removing the cloak of fatherhood invisibility. These themes centred around the isolation of fathers and limited emotional and mental support within the parenting transition. Conclusions The findings suggest that greater father inclusion within perinatal services, policies and antenatal education may help fathers feel more recognised and supported throughout the perinatal journey. Recognition of fathers’ emotional well-being and mental health, by adopting a ‘whole family’ emotional support approach within perinatal services was considered important to support fathers and the family dynamic in facilitating a positive transition for the whole family.