Exploring fathers’ experiences of seeking support for postnatal depression

Davenport, Caroline; Swami, Viren

Abstract

Background Many men tend to avoid seeking support for mental health issues and little is known about help-seeking among fathers who experience postnatal depression.
Aim To explore fathers’ help-seeking for postnatal depression, including barriers and motivators, and their experiences of informal support from partners and formal support from healthcare professionals.
Method Data were obtained through individual semi-structured interviews with eight fathers who self-identified as having experienced postnatal depression. Data were analysed using
interpretative phenomenological analysis.
Findings Five themes emerged from the data analysis: not recognising postnatal depression; fatherhood expectations restricting postnatal depression disclosure; disappointment at the medicalised response to help-seeking; health visitors as a feared profession which excludes fathers; needing communication, validation and a safe space to talk.
Conclusion Some fathers need professional support for their mental health after the birth of their child.
Nurses and health visitors should routinely ask fathers about their mental well-being, validate their feelings and encourage them to discuss their mental health issues with a healthcare professional.

Citation

Davenport, C., & Swami, V. (2023). Exploring fathers’ experiences of seeking support for postnatal depression. Primary Health Care, https://doi.org/10.7748/phc.2023.e1810

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 29, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Nov 16, 2023
• Publication Date: Nov 16, 2023
• Deposit Date: Mar 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 13, 2024
• Journal: Primary Health Care
• Print ISSN: 0264-5033
• Electronic ISSN: 2047-900X
• Publisher: RCN Publishing (RCNi)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.7748/phc.2023.e1810
• Keywords: Child health; Community; Depression; Fathers; Health visitors; Mental health; Mothers; Neonatal; Parents; Postnatal depression; Primary care
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4587892