First-time fathers’ emotional wellbeing: Are father involvement and intergenerational father relationships predictors of postnatal depressive symptoms?

Paper one is a literature review that aims to scope the literature for father-specific interventions, to provide an overview of interventions that increase fathering self-efficacy. Ten relevant studies were identified following a systematic search of the literature. The review highlighted that interventions that are effective in increasing fathering self-efficacy are varied, including group discussions, experiential exercises, and video-feedback methods. The review also highlighted important factors to consider when developing father-specific programs including the facilitator, group attendees, content of sessions and father-targeted recruitment. Methodological limitations were highlighted, particularly issues around the recruitment of fathers to studies. Clinical and research implications are discussed. The second paper describes a cross-sectional quantitative study, which investigates the relationship between father involvement, fathers’ relationships with their own fathers (intergenerational relationships), and the impact of this on postnatal depression in first-time fathers to 0-2 year olds. Forty first-time fathers were recruited for the study. Multiple regression analyses were conducted. The results suggested that participants with a higher level of satisfaction with their relationship with their own father had a greater level of engagement in child-care related tasks, however intergenerational relationship satisfaction did not impact on any other aspect of father involvement. Father involvement and intergenerational father-son relationships did not predict postnatal depression in participants. The findings lend support to ideas that parenting patterns can be repeated across generations, by highlighting engagement as an important factor. Clinical implications and recommendations for future research are discussed. The third paper is an executive summary of the research study carried out in this thesis and is written for first-time fathers, professionals involved in father-inclusive practice as well as anyone else who may be interested in this research. This paper received valuable consultation from three individual first-time fathers.