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Becoming fathers: feasibility, acceptability, and exploratory efficacy of a group intervention

Date

2019

Authors

Rayburn, Stephanie, author
Coatsworth, J. Douglas, advisor
Quirk, Kelley, committee member
Brown, Samantha, committee member

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Abstract

The transition to parenthood brings changes to identity and relationships for new parents. Increasing expectations for father involvement in childcare are emphasizing the importance of the father role, but social supports for new fathers remain scarce. Emerging fathers experience stresses such as identity and role transitions, changes in their relationships, and challenges in developing caregiving skills and father-infant attachment representations. I conducted initial feasibility testing for a novel group intervention at the transition to fatherhood that provides expectant and new fathers with mindfulness-based coping skills, education on relevant topics, and an opportunity to connect with other new fathers. I also administered surveys at pre-test and post-test to assess for potential efficacy trends in the areas of stress, depressive symptoms, measures of father involvement, mindfulness, and relationship satisfaction. Results indicated strong feasibility and high acceptability among the participants. Participants highly valued the group discussion components of the intervention and noted that being able to learn about and process their experiences with other men in the same life stage was unique and important to them. Initial efficacy trends suggest reductions in stress and depressive symptoms, increases in the mindfulness constructs of nonjudgment and nonreactivity, and increases in father representations of attachment. Perinatal intervention specific to fathers remains a promising avenue for further inquiry.

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