A New Father's Guide

Have you experienced recent feelings of stress and/or anxiety with becoming a first time father? 

Feelings of increased stress are normal during the transition into fatherhood. Many things are changing during this exciting, yet overwhelming time. 

Many changes occur with becoming a parent which may create stress and anxiety. There has been a lot of research done for new mothers, but few done for new fathers. Furthermore, there is very little research that addresses the occupational impact that becoming a father has. 

​​There are few resources that address the postpartum time period in fathers and the transition period of becoming a new parent specifically for males (Goldstein et al., 2020). Males experience postpartum symptoms almost as frequently as women (Madsen, 2009); however, men display different symptoms (anger, outbursts, isolation, and working excessively) than women and are often not thought of because they did not physically carry the infant (O’Connell-Binns, 2009). The transition period for becoming a new parent is stressful on males as well as females, yet the male role is not always clear for the individuals (Asenhed et al., 2014). While there is research done addressing new fathers, there is very little information available that addresses the occupational impact. The occupation of sleep was the only occupation found that was previously studied among new fathers. (Macdonald et al., 2021). 

A recent capstone research project was conducted that looked at new fathers and the impact this had on daily routines and participation in activities. Surveys and interviews were collected from twenty-eight new fathers in order to gather qualitative and quantitative data. Participants were asked about their daily routines, overall experience with fatherhood, and the changes in activities that were experienced. 

Common themes that occurred throughout this research:

  • Expectations around work influencing stress

    • Stress around being the “provider of the family”

    • Difficulty adjusting to new work schedule (taking time off and then returning full time)

  • Adapting schedules and occupations with wife in mind

    • Emphasis on checking in with wife for support

    • Personal occupations were set aside to meet the needs of the wife and child

  • Perception of competence in fatherhood

    • “Wouldn’t say I have the dad thing down, but I do have playtime down”

    • “Yeah, that's like a good like solidified moment I feel like for the two for us and for just like a memorable connection with my new son” 

  • Models of fatherhood

    • Learning by example

    • Family and friends in a similar phase of life

This capstone project was conducted to look deeper into the occupational impact new fathers experience and the resources that were helpful (or would have been helpful) to ease the transition period. This study involved twenty-eight individuals who have recently become parents within the last three years, range from ages twenty-five to forty-one, all married, all working full time workers, and reported no complications with the child's birth. Likert scale and short answer questions were asked to gather mixed methods data and three individuals participated in the interview to achieve a qualitative component. 

A total of 68% of individuals within the study stated that additional resources would have been beneficial and listed what they would have preferred. A wide range of different resources were listed that met the individual’s needs and preferences. 

How can you ease your transition into fatherhood?

Find resources that best support you and fits your needs

Recommended Resources by Capstone Participants (what was used and what they believe would have been beneficial) :

  • Talk with family members and friends

    • Anyone that you feel comfortable with

    • Friends/Family who have been through this experience themselves

  • Facebook support group

    • New and Expecting Fathers: “The Man Cave”

    • New Dads Place, *Dads Only* Support Group for Dads

  • Podcasts

    • “Brand New Dad”

    • “New Dad, Newer Dad”

  • Books/Audiobooks

    • “The New Father: A Dad’s Guide to the First Year” By: Armin A. Brott

    • “Becoming a Dad” The First Time Dad’s Guide to Pregnancy Preparation” By: Lisa Marshall & Johnny Antonelli

    • “The New Dad’s Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life” By: Benjamin Watson & Meg Meeker, MD

  • YouTube videos

    • “Dad Verb” 

    • “Dad University”

    • “RnB Fam”

  • Parenting classes

    • Any classes in your local area that you feel will be beneficial

    • CPR & First Aid

    • Basics course

There are a lot of resources available for new mothers, but few for new fathers. Recent studies state that men also experience hormonal changes during the transition into fatherhood, which can increase overall stress and anxiety. Research also states that having a safe place to express any mental health concerns can be beneficial for an individual's overall well-being. This can take place in a group setting and/or with close friends and family. 

Over 90% of participants stated that they experienced a change in daily routine after having a child. 

65% reported not to prioritize sleep and leisure activities for themselves

Most participants showed a decline in participating in a variety of activities after having a child. These included sleep, social activities, physical activities, hobbies, religious services/activities, and home management.

Likert Scale Questions

Before

After

How would you rate your participation with good quality sleep?   

3.32

2.30

How would you rate your participation with leisure activities?

3.5

2.37

How would you rate your participation in religious services/activities?

1.95

2.2

How would you rate your participation with social activities?

3.07

2.33

How would you rate your satisfaction with participation in sports/physical activities?

3.11

2.52

How would you rate your satisfaction with participation in hobbies you enjoy?

3.46

2.37

How would you rate your satisfaction with participation in home management?

3.3

2.96

1- Never 2- Rarely 3-Neutral 4- Often 5-Frequently Never 2- Rarely 3- Often 4- Frequently

Scanning the QR code below will show all Likert scale and short answer results from the recent survey that addressed new fathers. Figures 5 through Figure 10 focus primarily on the change in daily routines and the occupational impact the transition period had on the individuals. While some varied greater than others, all occupations show a decrease in participation after having a child. 

Recent studies concluded that the biggest stressor related to becoming a father is the shift in daily routines.  Based on the recent capstone proposals Likert scale questions, the occupation of sleep and social activities was impacted the greatest. 

Other frequently recurring responses among the short answer questions showed a variety of different challenges that occurred within one's daily routine after becoming a father. The most common responses included a decrease in quality time with their partner, less time for hobbies, and a lack of sleep. 

Tips to make time for yourself and ease your exciting journey into fatherhood:

  • Make separate, quality time with your partner 

  • Prioritize a hobby or activity you enjoy once a week

  • Give yourself grace / Do not be afraid to ask for help 

  • Develop a bedtime/sleep routine



References

Asenhed, L., Kilstam, J., Alehagen, S., & Baggens, C. (2014). Becoming a father is an emotional roller coaster - an analysis of first-time fathers’ blogs. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 23(9–10), 1309–1317. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.12355

Baldwin, S., Malone, M., Sandall, J., & Bick, D. (2018). Mental health and wellbeing during the transition to fatherhood: A systematic review of first time fathers’ experiences. JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, 16(11), 2118–2191. https://doi.org/10.11124/JBISRIR-2017-003773

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2). 77-101.

Goldstein, Z., Rosen, B., Howlett, A., Anderson, M., & Herman, D. (2020). Interventions for paternal perinatal depression: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 265, 505–510. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2019.12.029

Macdonald, J. A., Graeme, L. G., Wynter, K., Cooke, D., Hutchinson, D., Kendall, G., StGeorge, J., Dowse, E., Francis, L. M., McBride, N., Fairweather, A. K., Manno, L. D., Olsson, C. A., Allsop, S., Leach, L., & Youssef, G. J. (2021). How are you sleeping? Starting the conversation with fathers about their mental health in the early parenting years. Journal of Affective Disorders, 281, 727–737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.11.081 

Madsen, S. A. (2009). Men’s mental health: Fatherhood and psychotherapy. Journal of Men’s Studies, 17(1), 15–30.

O’Connell-Binns, K. (2009). Men’s mental health during the first year postpartum. Journal of Community Nursing, 23(7), 4.


Rheanne Sager, OTD, OTRComment