“What Can I Do to Not Have This Life”? A Qualitative Study of Paternal Postnatal Depression Experiences among Fathers in the United Kingdom

Davenport, Caroline; Swami, Viren

Abstract

Understandings of paternal postnatal depression (PND) in fathers from the United Kingdom (UK) have received limited attention, particularly in view of changing dynamics of contemporary parenthood. To rectify this, eight UK fathers with PND took part in one-to-one interviews, with Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis used to understand their lived experiences. Our findings demonstrate that UK fathers with PND experienced extremely distressing emotions, including anger and misery, after their babies are born. Their working practices were highly relevant to their fatherhood, with working considered a key responsibility and a source of stress, but also a “legitimate” escape from the home. Fathers’ relationships with their partners were experienced as less intimate and conflicted. Fathers often hid their feelings to protect their partners, but also reported their partners as being aware of their challenging and difficult emotions. Healthcare providers should be professionally curious about fathers’ mental health and consider the assistance of mothers in identifying cases of paternal PND.

Citation

Davenport, C., & Swami, V. (2023). “What Can I Do to Not Have This Life”? A Qualitative Study of Paternal Postnatal Depression Experiences among Fathers in the United Kingdom. Issues in mental health nursing, 44(12), 1188-1199. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2023.2262574

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 17, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Oct 11, 2023
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2023
• Deposit Date: Mar 12, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 13, 2024
• Journal: Issues in Mental Health Nursing
• Print ISSN: 0161-2840
• Electronic ISSN: 1096-4673
• Publisher: Informa Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 44
• Issue: 12
• Pages: 1188-1199
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2023.2262574
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4587925