ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
This research provides an in-depth exploration of the varied obstacles and support systems encountered by novice fathers in Malaysia after childbirth. Adopting a phenomenological research approach, the investigation interacted with 10 first-time fathers residing in Malaysia. The participant selection was driven by purposive sampling. The data was solely collected through semi-structured interviews, enabling a thorough examination of the participants' lived experiences. The results unearth an assortment of hurdles experienced by first-time fathers, moving beyond monetary obligations to include emotional and societal aspects. These hurdles are intensified by social norms and the limitations of current support structures. These revelations emphasize the demand for a multi-dimensional strategy to strengthen the support framework for new fathers. Moreover, they offer key perspectives that could inform the construction of focused policies and community activities to cultivate a better support system for first-time fathers during the postnatal period. Consequently, this research acts as a seminal resource for subsequent studies on fatherly experiences and support resources during initial parenthood.
Baldwin, S., Malone, M., Sandall, J., & Bick, D. (2019). A qualitative exploratory study of UK first-time fathers’ experiences, mental health and wellbeing needs during their transition to fatherhood. BMJ OPEN, 9(9).
Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101.
Castillo, J., Welch, G., & Sarver, C. (2011). Fathering: The relationship between fathers’ residence, fathers’ sociodemographic characteristics, and father involvement. Maternal and Child Health Journal, 15, 1342–1349.
Chavis, A. T. (2022). Paternal perinatal depression in modern-day fatherhood. Pediatrics in Review, 43(10), 539–548.
Cohen, M. Z., Phillips, J. M., & Palos, G. (2001). Qualitative research with diverse populations. Seminars in Oncology Nursing, 17(3), 190–196.
Creswell, J. W., & Miller, D. L. (2000). Determining validity in qualitative inquiry. Theory into Practice, 39(3), 124–130.
Deave, T., & Johnson, D. (2008). The transition to parenthood: what does it mean for fathers? Journal of Advanced Nursing, 63(6), 626–633.
Ertekin Pinar, S., & Ozbek, H. (2022). Paternal depression and attachment levels of first-time fathers in Turkey. Perspectives in Psychiatric Care, 58(3), 1082–1088.
Flick, U. (2022). An introduction to qualitative research.
Fonseca, G., da Cruz, R., Arsénio, J., Portugal, A., & Crespo, C. (2023). Becoming a Father During the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Experiences of Men in the Transition to Fatherhood. The Journal of Men’s Studies, 31(3), 351–370.
Goodman, J. H. (2004). Paternal postpartum depression, its relationship to maternal postpartum depression, and implications for family health. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 45(1), 26–35.
Gross, C. L., & Marcussen, K. (2017). Postpartum depression in mothers and fathers: The role of parenting efficacy expectations during the transition to parenthood. Sex Roles, 76, 290–305.
Hamm, M., Miller, E., Jackson Foster, L., Browne, M., & Borrero, S. (2018). “The Financial Is the Main Issue, It’s Not Even the Child”: Exploring the Role of Finances in Men’s Concepts of Fatherhood and Fertility Intention. American Journal of Men’s Health, 12(4), 1074–1083.
Hughes, C., Devine, R. T., Foley, S., Ribner, A. D., Mesman, J., & Blair, C. (2020). Couples becoming parents: Trajectories for psychological distress and buffering effects of social support. Journal of Affective Disorders, 265, 372–380.
Janghorban, R., Roudsari, R. L., & Taghipour, A. (2014). Skype interviewing: The new generation of online synchronous interview in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 9(1), 24152.
Kim, H. N. (2018). Social support provision: perspective of fathers with preterm infants. Journal of Pediatric Nursing, 39, 44–48.
Lewington, L., Lee, J., & Sebar, B. (2021). “I’m not just a babysitter”: Masculinity and men’s experiences of first-time fatherhood. Men and Masculinities, 24(4), 571–589.
Palinkas, L. A., Horwitz, S. M., Green, C. A., Wisdom, J. P., Duan, N., & Hoagwood, K. (2015). Purposeful sampling for qualitative data collection and analysis in mixed method implementation research. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research, 42, 533–544.
Persson, E. K., Fridlund, B., Kvist, L. J., & Dykes, A.-K. (2012). Fathers’ sense of security during the first postnatal week—A qualitative interview study in Sweden. Midwifery, 28(5), e697--e704.
Rehel, E. M. (2014). When dad stays home too: Paternity leave, gender, and parenting. Gender \& Society, 28(1), 110–132.
Riggs, J. M. (1997). Mandates for mothers and fathers: Perceptions of breadwinners and care givers. Sex Roles, 37, 565–580.
Schoppe-Sullivan, S. J., & Fagan, J. (2020). The evolution of fathering research in the 21st century: Persistent challenges, new directions. Journal of Marriage and Family, 82(1), 175–197.
Shorey, S., Dennis, C.-L., Bridge, S., Chong, Y. S., Holroyd, E., & He, H.-G. (2017). First-time fathers’ postnatal experiences and support needs: A descriptive qualitative study. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 73(12), 2987–2996.
Toye, F., Williamson, E., Williams, M. A., Fairbank, J., & Lamb, S. E. (2016). What value can qualitative research add to quantitative research design? An example from an adolescent idiopathic scoliosis trial feasibility study. Qualitative Health Research, 26(13), 1838–1850.
Vidaurreta, M., Lopez-Dicastillo, O., Serrano-Monzó, I., Belintxon, M., Bermejo-Martins, E., & Mujika, A. (2022). Placing myself in a new normalized life: The process of becoming a first-time father. A grounded theory study. Nursing \& Health Sciences, 24(1), 152–162.
Walsh, J. (2010). Definitions matter: if maternal--fetal relationships are not attachment, what are they? Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 13, 449–451.
(Noorahim & Tan, 2024)
Noorahim, N., & Tan, J. S. (2024). Journey Through The Postpartum Phase Experiences of First Time Fathers in Malaysia. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, 14(4), 1666–1676.
Copyright: © 2024 The Author(s)
Published by HRMARS (www.hrmars.com)
This article is published under the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY 4.0) license. Anyone may reproduce, distribute, translate and create derivative works of this article (for both commercial and non-commercial purposes), subject to full attribution to the original publication and authors. The full terms of this license may be seenavc at: http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/legalcode