Stress and coping in fathers of newborns: comparisons of planned versus unplanned pregnancy

Transition to Parenthood and Conjugal Life

“…One is related to the measure of pregnancy planning and deserves attention. When this longitudinal study began at the end of the year 2000, the choice of a dichotomous measure of pregnancy planning (planned vs. unplanned) was recommended by most authors and was the most common usage in the field (Clinton & Kelber, 1993;Delgado-Rodriguez et al, 1997;Dietz et al, 1999;Harris & Campbell, 1999;Williams et al, 2001). Recent developments in the field (Barrett & Wellings, 2002;Santelli et al, 2003), which occurred after the beginning of the current study, have qualified or have shed new light on this distinction.…”

“…Yes or no?" This question is similar to those used in a number of recent studies to determine the pregnancy intention (e.g., Clinton & Kelber, 1993;Delgado-Rodriguez et al, 1997;Dietz et al, 1999;Harris & Campbell, 1999;Rosenfeld & Everett, 1996). This dichotomous measure (planned vs. unplanned) was preferred to a more detailed measure that distinguishes among planned, mistimed (i.e., a desired pregnancy that occurred sooner than the couple wanted), and unwanted pregnancies (i.e., a pregnancy that occurred even though the couple did not desire a pregnancy; Brown & Eisenberg, 1995;Orr & Miller, 1997;Zotti & Siegel, 1995) because the consistency of responses over time and between survey and in-depth interview for a designed respondent is higher when a dichotomous measure is used rather than when a more detailed measure is used (Williams, Sobieszczyk, & Perez, 2001; but see also Santelli et al, 2003).…”

Stress and support as related to postpartum paternal mental health and perceptions of the infant

“…The extent to which these factors may play a role in fathers' postpartum psychological adjustment has received little research attention. A number of studies have examined stressors reported by fathers during pregnancy and the postpartum period; these include work demands, home and employment responsibilities, and financial worries, as well as concerns about childbirth and the health of the infant (Clinton, & Kelber, 1993;Glazer, 1989;Ventura, 1987). However, this research did not investigate whether such stressors are related to paternal psychological well-being or the father -infant relationship.…”

Relationship with Husband or Partner

“…Fathers have been viewed primarily as a source of support for the mother, with little research devoted to the impact of fatherhood on the man's own development (Clinton & Kelber, 1993). However, research evidence has begun to accumulate which suggests that the transition to fatherhood is a significant developmental event in men's lives (Clinton, 1987;Condon, 2006;Hanson & Bozett, 1986).…”

“…When compared with the substantial body of research examining maternal prenatal and postpartum adaptation, a dearth of research exists concerning paternal transition to parenthood (Bouchard, Boudreau, & Hebert, 2006;Clinton, 1987;Clinton & Kelber, 1993;Hanson & Bozett, 1986;Henderson & Brouse, 1991;Schultz et al, 2006). Fathers have been viewed primarily as a source of support for the mother, with little research devoted to the impact of fatherhood on the man's own development (Clinton & Kelber, 1993).…”