Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39532383›Full record

ArticleBMJ open2024

Exploration of fathers' mental health and well-being concerns during the transition to fatherhood, and paternal perinatal support: scoping review.

Ashleigh Elizabeth Watkins, Catherine El Zerbi, Ruth McGovern, Judith Rankin

Abstract readScoping Review
PubMed Full text at PMC Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in BMJ open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 16 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
16citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

16 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

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  10. Targeting CD20 for B-cell Depletion in Autoimmune Kidney Disease: Next Generation.BioDrugs : clinical immunotherapeutics, biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy · 2025
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Ashleigh Elizabeth WatkinsPopulation Health Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK a.watkins3@newcastle.ac.uk.ORCID 0009-0003-7752-841X
Catherine El ZerbiPopulation Health Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.ORCID 0000-0003-4041-2379
Ruth McGovernPopulation Health Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Judith RankinPopulation Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesTo appraise and synthesise qualitative literature identifying: (a) fathers' concerns and challenges during the transition to fatherhood that may be impacting mental health and well-being experiences; and (b) fathers' experiences of antenatal programmes, and psychological and social support, to understand how we can better support fathers in addressing these concerns.

designInternational, qualitative evidence synthesis, scoping review. DATA SOURCES: Six electronic databases (Medline, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Scopus, ASSIA) alongside 'grey' and supplementary searches were conducted March 2024. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Qualitative studies and qualitative data extracted from mixed methods studies focusing on fathers' mental health within the perinatal period globally were included. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS: The recommended Joanna Briggs Institute data extraction and critical appraisal tools were used, and an inductive thematic synthesis approach employed.

results37 qualitative studies were included: UK (n=11), Europe (n=9), Australia (n=7) and Asia (n=6), USA (n=1), Canada (n=1) and the Middle East (n=2). Quality appraisal scores were moderate to high (5-10). Four analytical themes and eight subthemes were generated: (1) diminished partner relationship, (2) provider or protector? Multiplicity of fatherhood identification, (3) forgotten entity within the perinatal experience and (4) "I try to battle it myself," masculine ideals within fatherhood. The findings highlighted that fathers found the transition to be difficult, compounded by insecurity within their role as both partner and father. Fathers found a paucity of paternally focused support and antenatal programmes, not addressing fathers' needs within the transition.

conclusionsThe many concerns and challenges highlighted in the review demonstrate the importance of understanding the negative impact of the transition on fathers' mental health and well-being. There is a need for greater attention to fathers' experiences of paternal perinatal support and programmes through research and practise to inform future interventional development.

trial registrationPROSPERO: CRD4202231381.

Indexed as

FathersMental HealthSocial SupportFemaleHumansMalePregnancyQualitative ResearchAnxiety disordersPostpartum PeriodPUBLIC HEALTHQUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Identifiers

PMID39532383
PMCPMC11574476

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.