Concept Analysis of Fatherhood

Abstract

Aim: To propose a conceptual definition of fatherhood from the perspective of different disciplines and resources.
 Background: Fatherhood is frequently used in social and health science. Due to the shift of father’s role from breadwinner to actively involved in family supporting and child-rearing, an updated and clear concept of fatherhood should be needed.
 Design: Walker and Avant’s methods for concept analysis was used.
 Data Source: PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, Google Scholar, Online Dictionaries and thesauruses. 
 Review Methods: The primary Search terms were fatherhood, father’s role, the role of fatherhood and father’s experience. Articles were not limited to research reports but also included books, case study and reviews. 
 Results: A new definition of fatherhood is provided based on four components that include a status of father-child bonding and interpersonal relationship among individual, family and others, a person’s paternal identity, right and responsibility of supporting the child, and a reciprocal process constructed in social and cultural settings. Defining attributes, antecedents, and consequences are identified. Implications for nursing discipline are given.
 Conclusions: This concept analysis confirms a multi-faceted concept of fatherhood with a number of contributing domains, which can benefit the related instrument or theory development in the future.