Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39982774›Full record

ArticleJMIR pediatrics and parenting2025

Practicality of the My Baby Now App for Fathers by Fathers: Qualitative Case Study.

Mathew Gaynor, Kylie Hesketh, Kidane Gebremariam, Karen Wynter, Rachel Laws

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in JMIR pediatrics and parenting, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

5 authors.

Mathew GaynorInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0003-4868-5328
Kylie HeskethInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2702-7110
Kidane GebremariamInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1888-3318
Karen WynterCentre for Women's and Children's Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4620-7691
Rachel LawsInstitute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Science, Deakin University, Geelong, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4328-1116

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundEvolving societal trends are resulting in fathers having an increasing influence on the health-related behaviors that children develop. Research shows that most fathers are committed to their role and when equipped with knowledge, can have a positive impact on their child's health. However, parenting resources typically target mothers, with fathers being excluded. While evolving mobile phone technology provides an efficient means for delivering parenting resources, many fathers find that mobile health (mHealth) technology does not provide material they can engage with.

objectiveThis study aimed to explore how to make parenting apps more engaging and useful for fathers using an existing parenting mHealth resource, the My Baby Now app, as a case study.

methodsA total of 14 purposefully selected, Australian fathers of 7 months to 5-year-old children took part in a qualitative study, comprising either focus groups or interviews. Recorded focus groups and interviews were transcribed verbatim, then coded using a combination of deductive and inductive methods. Reflexive thematic analysis was undertaken to identify patterns and themes.

resultsCurrent parenting apps provide parenting information that can be unappealing for fathers. To improve paternal engagement with mHealth resources, fathers highlighted the need for father specific information, with an increase in positive imagery and positive descriptions of fathers in their parenting role. There should be father-exclusive domains such as forums, and also push notifications to provide positive reinforcement and encouragement for fathers.

conclusionsmHealth has the capacity to deliver information to fathers when needed. This reduces the risk of paternal frustration and disengagement from parenting. Further benefit will be gained by research to understand possible differences in mHealth app usage by fathers of differing socioeconomic position, cultural backgrounds, and family status, such as single fathers and same-sex couples.

Indexed as

appfathershealth promotionMBNmobile phoneMy Baby Nowparenting resources

Identifiers

PMID39982774
PMCPMC11890138

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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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.